July 1st 2023.
Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, after missing out on Declan Rice earlier this week. The Premier League champions had offered £90 million for the West Ham United skipper, but Arsenal soon upped their offer to £100 million plus £5 million in add-ons.
This has left City looking for other options - and de Jong is certainly someone they have had their eye on before. The Dutchman was the subject of intense interest from Manchester United last summer, and Erik ten Hag had made the 26-year-old his top transfer target. Despite the persistent interest, de Jong remained determined to stay at Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola and City are now keen on a major addition in midfield, and feel that de Jong could fit the bill. The City boss had tried to sign de Jong in 2019 after his stunning campaign with Ajax, but he eventually opted to join Barcelona.
The Sun reports that Barcelona chiefs are open to a sale as part of the club’s continued financial difficulties, although they would expect City to match the £90 million offer they put down for Rice.
De Jong has remained on United’s wish list, although the club appears to have moved onto other targets with a deal for Chelsea star Mason Mount agreed this week. In June, the Dutchman spoke out to pour cold water on talk of another summer of speculation, saying: ‘I always knew that I wanted to stay at Barcelona, that’s why it wasn’t so stressful for me last summer. I feel good at Barcelona and assume that I will still be playing here next season.’
It remains to be seen whether Manchester City will make a move for de Jong this summer, or if they will look to pursue other options. Regardless, it certainly looks like an intriguing few weeks ahead in the transfer window.
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