Manchester City are reportedly considering signing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, a former transfer target for local rivals Manchester United.
The Red Devils spent much of last summer trying to sign De Jong, 26, as he played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax. The Netherlands international didn’t want to leave Camp Nou, forcing United to swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro late in the window.
Manchester City are in the market for an Ilkay Gundogan’s replacement and following the end of their pursuit of West Ham United’s Declan Rice, they’ve now turned to De Jong.
Rice, 24, is nearing a move to Arsenal after the Gunners agreed a deal worth £100m plus £5m in add-ons on Wednesday, June 28. While there remain minor details to finalise, they are said to be a formality at this stage.
Dutch midfielder, De Jong who earns a reported €465,000-a-week, is keen to stay at Barcelona, but the Catalan club would let him go for a fee of over €100m. City boss Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of the player and made an unsuccessful attempt to sign him in 2019.
De Jong has played 183 games for Barcelona and is one of Xavi’s key players at the Camp Nou – winning the La Liga title and Spanish Super Cup last term. The former Eredivisie Player of the Season has also won the Spanish Cup with Barcelona.
De Jong still has three years left on his contract, but it’s claimed Barcelona wouldn’t mind getting his hefty salary off their books. It would be a kick in the teeth for Ten Hag if De Jong joined City after last year’s failed transfer pursuit.
The Dutch midfielder’s departure may now be necessary for the La Liga champions as they look to slash their huge wage bill amid continuing financial issues.
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