Manchester City have reportedly entered the race to sign Barcelona midfielder and Manchester United transfer target, Frenkie de Jong.
According to a report from Fichajes, uncertainty continues to loom over the future of Barcelona midfield mainstay Frenkie de Jong ahead of the summer transfer window. With Manchester United already interested in the 24-year-old, they have now been joined by neighbours and arch-rivals Manchester City in his pursuit.
De Jong signed for Barcelona from AFC Ajax in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth €86 million. He has been a regular in the side ever since and has made 136 appearances, scoring 13 goals and registering 17 assists. While he has been unable to showcase his best consistently enough, the Dutchman is still regarded as a pivotal part of the team at Camp Nou.
However, recent incidents have cast doubts on de Jong’s future at the club. The midfielder reacted angrily to being subbed off in the defeat to Rayo Vallecano last weekend and is believed to be growing frustrated by always being the first player to be taken off by the manager. It has led to speculations that the Netherlands international could consider his future at Barcelona.
While Xavi Hernandez recently insisted that de Jong would not be sold, since then there have been reports claiming that the Catalans would consider the possibility of a departure and would demand a sum of €70 million in exchange for the midfielder.
Manchester United have emerged as a prospective suitor for de Jong. The Red Devils need to bolster their midfield department in the summer as Paul Pogba is on his way out when his contract expires. In addition, Nemanja Matic will also be leaving Old Trafford. And with Fred and Scott McTominay not performing consistently enough, another quality central midfielder is needed.
With Erik ten Hag set to take over as the manager at Manchester United, Donny van de Beek is set to get another chance to come good. And the Dutch tactician is considering reuniting van de Beek with his former midfield partner de Jong at Old Trafford. The duo played under ten Hag at Ajax and were brilliant in the 2018/19 campaign when the Eredivisie giants made it to the Champions League quarter-finals.
However, Manchester City are now threatening the chances of a potential reunion, having decided to enter the race to sign de Jong. Pep Guardiola is believed to be a huge admirer of the Barcelona midfielder and wanted to sign him in 2019, before his move to Catalonia. And now that Fernandinho is set to depart and Ilkay Gundogan is in his thirties, Guardiola and City are reviving their interest in the 24-year-old.
Despite the heavy investment they are planning to make for Erling Haaland, the Premier League champions should have the budget to incorporate de Jong’s signing. And with Cityzens guaranteed to offer Champions League football, unlike their neighbours, the Barcelona midfielder might be tempted to switch to the Etihad come summer if he decides to leave Camp Nou.