'Very angry with what you people write' - Frenkie de Jong hits back at journalists following Barcelona exit rumours ahead of Napoli Champions League clash

De Jong hit out at the media amid speculation that he may be sold in the summer to help ease the club's difficult financial situation as he's Barcelona's highest earner. The midfielder once again reiterated his desire to stay with the Catalan giants and insisted recent reports about his salary are wide of the mark.

He told a press conference: “If I’m honest, I am getting quite irritated lately. I am very angry at what you (media) write or say about me. There are a lot of stories that are simply not true. I simply can’t get my head around it. Some of you write lies all the time and I don’t get how you are not ashamed about it.

“There’s a lot of talk about my contract situation and my salary. There’s a lot of smoke in there and plenty of lies. You the media are saying that I earn around €40m per year… this is really far from the truth. I am not going to reveal figures, but that’s simply lying. I am really happy here. Barcelona was and is the club of my life, it was my dream to play here and it still is. I am not happy with the press and everything that surrounds the club because, as I’ve been saying, it’s full of lies.”

Reports in Spain have claimed Barcelona have told De Jong to sign a new contract or bring an offer so they can sell him in the summer. Tottenham, Manchester United and PSG have all been linked with the Netherlands international but it seems he has little interest in a move as things stand. Yet Barcelona's financial situation will make the club vulnerable to large offers for key players as they need to raise revenue to comply with La Liga's financial rules for the 2024-25 campaign.

Xavi's side are currently in Italy preparing for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Napoli on Wednesday. The Nerazzurri changed managers just 48 hours before the game, sacking Walter Mazzarri and bringing Francesco Calzona.