Media reports revealed the reasons for the travel of both Frenkie de Jong and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, along with the rest of Barcelona players to England, where Barça is preparing for the new season.
Hansi Flick, Barcelona club coach, selected de Jong and ter Stegen within a squad of 31 players to travel to England in preparation for the upcoming season (Details from here).
Frenkie de Jong is considered injured at the knee level and will be sidelined for several months, while ter Stegen is close to leaving Barcelona and transferring to Ajax Amsterdam.
The newspaper "Sport" reported that Barcelona still considers ter Stegen a key element in the team, as he played in the friendly match against Europa last Friday, and the goalkeeper will also participate against Birmingham City next Friday, although ter Stegen's departure this week and his joining Ajax on loan has not been ruled out.
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It added that Barcelona agreed with Ajax on ter Stegen's transfer on loan until the end of next season, with the Blaugrana covering 90% of the German international's salary, and the player has already approved, but the deal is stalled due to tax-related matters.
Barcelona offered ter Stegen a solution regarding the tax issue, but the two parties did not reach an agreement, so it was suggested that the goalkeeper travel with the rest of the team to England.
As for de Jong, Barcelona chose to have the player travel with the rest of his teammates to England so that Barça's medical staff can monitor the Dutch international's injury progress daily.
De Jong chose to follow conservative treatment to recover from his injury instead of undergoing surgery, and the player's absence period will extend, according to reports, from five to six months.
