Barcelona have officially confirmed their capture of Ajax playmaker Frenkie de Jong, who is set to join the current La Liga leaders in the summer.
Barcelona have completed one of the largest coups of the present transfer window, with a deal in place for Frenkie de Jong. The highly coveted Ajax star was being chased by the who’s who of European football, with PSG and Manchester City touted to be leading the race. But, the Catalan giants have stolen a march on others by confirming an agreement with Ajax as regards de Jong’s transfer.
The Blaurana have explained in the confirmation article on their website that the deal in place is said to be worth an initial €75 million, with an additional €11 million in variables and performance-based bonuses. Frenkie de Jong will sign a five-year contract when he joins the rest of the squad in the summer.
A new artist is coming next summer#EnjoyDeJong#WeColorFootball
?? pic.twitter.com/GgZaAkywfr— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 23, 2019
Frenkie de Jong is one of the hottest properties in the transfer market currently. The Ajax star is known for his versatility and really rose as a bright talent in the 2017-18 campaign. His performances were soon followed by interest from every top club in Europe, with Manchester City, Barcelona and PSG always in the running for the 21-year-old’s signature.
But, it is interesting to see how Barcelona have virtually secured their midfield for the coming decade to say, with the arrival of de Jong. The squad currently boasts of the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Arthur Melo, Arturo Vidal and Denis Suarez, with Carles Alena also coming in handy every now and then.
Arthur is already gaining fans with his easy-on-the-eye playing style and calm demeanour in midfield, with the player reminding onlookers of Barcelona legend Xavi in some ways. Alena has always been touted as a player for the future. But, what Barcelona really lacked and were looking for, was a ready replacement for Sergio Busquets.
The Spanish international is one of the best holding midfielders of his generation. But, he has shown signs that it might be time to insure a replacement is ready to go in when Busquets drops perhaps, another couple of levels.
De Jong is the third confirmed deal that Barcelona have announced in January. The first two saw Kevin-Prince Boateng arrive on a loan till the end of the season, with an option to make the deal permanent, while Jean-Clair Todibo will join the Catalans in the summer, like de Jong.
Billed as the future of Netherlands, it will be interesting to see how quickly he can fit in at Barcelona, a team which has been touted as the perfect fit for the versatile star’s brand of football.
