Frenkie de Jong will reportedly prioritise joining Manchester City instead of Manchester United if he leaves Barcelona in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Frenkie de Jong is in favour of moving to Manchester City instead of Manchester United in the summer transfer window if he is forced to leave Barcelona. The Dutch midfielder will likely receive a higher salary from Manchester United but favours the better project.
Frenkie de Jong has endured a tough time at Barcelona since arriving from Ajax in July 2019. While the 25-year-old has been one of the most reliable performers for the Blaugrana in the last three years, the Catalan giants have blown hot and cold in this period.
The Dutch international has made 138 appearances for Barcelona thus far, chipping in with 13 goals and 17 assists. But de Jong faces an uncertain future at Camp Nou, as Barcelona might decide to cash in on him in the summer transfer window to balance their books and fund moves at the same time. Such a situation has captured the attention of Manchester United and Manchester City.
The interest from Manchester United stems from Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba’s non-existent futures at Old Trafford. While Matic has already confirmed that he will depart from Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, Pogba will likely leave Manchester United as a free agent when his contract expires next month.
The Red Devils thus need to invest in a top-class midfielder in the summer transfer window, with de Jong emerging as a viable target. But de Jong will prefer joining Manchester City instead of Manchester United, with the report claiming he prioritises the sporting project over the riches on offer in a contract.
That said, recent reports have claimed that Manchester City might not pursue a move for de Jong in the summer transfer window. But if the Barcelona midfielder was a target for the Premier League champions, he could potentially take Fernandinho’s spot in the squad following the Brazilian’s exit from the Etihad.
Widespread reports have claimed that de Jong is ready to snub Manchester United to stay put at Barcelona. But if push comes to shove, his priority will be joining Manchester City, although it is unclear if the Citizens will launch the offensive for the Barcelona midfielder in the summer transfer window.
