Manchester City are mulling over whether to launch a bid for Frenkie de Jong this summer from Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola is still keen on bolstering his midfield in the transfer window after missing out on Declan Rice to Arsenal
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City walked away from a deal but De Jong has now become a top target.
According to The Sun, the Premier League champions are pondering whether or not to launch a full raid on Barcelona for the midfielder.
But the Spanish giants have priced the Dutchman at a whopping £90million, at least.
That is the same number as they bid made by City for Rice last week in a deal worth £75m with £15m in add-ons.
Arsenal blew them out of the water with a deal worth a total of £105m, a number that City were not prepared to meet and saw them pull out of the race.
Barcelona have snapped up Ilkay Gundogan this summer on a free transfer after his contract at the Etihad expired.
And City want De Jong to come the other way as Guardiola is a huge fan of the former Ajax star.
He tried to sign him in 2019 but De Jong opted to move to Barca over City while a move to Manchester United was also on the cards as recently as last year.
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Erik ten Hag was desperate to make the 26-year-old his marquee signing last year as Barcelona contemplated selling top assets to raise cash.
However, De Jong was not keen on leaving the Nou Camp for Old Trafford, despite the chance to reunite with his old boss at Ajax.
The Sun further reports that the Netherlands international is still happy at Barcelona while he earns £400,000-a-week after tax, has three years left on his contract, and is a favourite of coach Xavi’s.
But a sizeable bid could persuade the Blaugrana to part ways with De Jong, especially as it would lighten their wage bill considerably.
Speaking in February, Xavi was adamant that the midfield star would be going nowhere.
“He was very clear with me. He wanted to stay with us and there was no doubt,” he said.
“He is our player and I am very happy and satisfied with his performance and leadership.
“He is in a great moment, like the whole team. I think he is having a good time on the field, which is the most important thing.”
