Frenkie de Jong has revealed he was asked to "join Liverpool" within days of arriving in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup
De Jong will be a key player for his country Netherlands as they look to win their first World Cup title, starting with their Group A opener against Senegal on Monday.
But while De Jong is at the top of coach Louis van Gaal's national team plans, the same is not true of his club football. The 25-year-old remains on the fringes of Barcelona's starting XI, with coach Xavi continuing to favor other midfielders.
De Jong came close to leaving the Nou Camp in the summer but insisted on refusing to move - but now fans are begging him to complete a move to Anfield.
De Jong and his Dutch team-mates met on Thursday the migrant workers who have been helping build infrastructure and facilities for the World Cup in Qatar, including stadiums. One of the staff took the opportunity to make a cheeky request to the Barcelona man to show his true colors.
De Jong told Dutch outlet AD.NL: "It was special for them (migrant workers), but also for us.
"It gives us energy and joy. "A lot of people came and there was no time to have a personal conversation. One guy told me I had to join Liverpool! We loved doing this, but now the focus goes to Senegal."