Heading: Pep Guardiola Eyes Move for Frenkie de Jong After Declan Rice Bid Falls Through
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, is considering a move for Frenkie de Jong as he looks to strengthen his midfield options. This comes after Guardiola walked away from a bid for West Ham’s Declan Rice. However, Barcelona, De Jong’s current club, is expected to demand a fee of up to £90 million for the Dutch midfielder.
Guardiola’s interest in De Jong is not new. He previously tried to sign the 26-year-old in 2019, but De Jong chose to join Barcelona instead. Now, with Ilkay Gundogan’s departure to Barcelona, Guardiola sees an opportunity to bring in a new midfielder and is once again eyeing De Jong.
The Manchester City boss had initially pursued Rice as his top target but withdrew his interest when the asking price exceeded his budget. This has opened the door for Arsenal to potentially secure Rice’s signature. With Rice out of the picture, Guardiola has turned his attention back to De Jong.
De Jong, who earns £400,000 a week after tax, still has three years left on his contract with Barcelona. Despite rumors of a potential departure, he has shown no urgency to leave Spain. However, the financial struggles at Barcelona have prompted the club’s executives to consider selling De Jong to alleviate their financial burden.
While De Jong has the support of Barcelona coach Xavi and remains an integral part of the team, the club is keen to offload his high wages. Manchester City, with their financial resources, could be an ideal destination for the Dutch midfielder.
Heading: De Jong’s Previous Transfer Saga and Xavi’s Support
Last summer, De Jong was involved in a transfer saga that saw him linked with a move away from Barcelona. However, he made it clear to coach Xavi that he wanted to stay at the club. Xavi expressed his satisfaction with De Jong’s commitment and performance, stating that he is in a great moment both on and off the field.
De Jong’s decision to remain at Barcelona was influenced by the club’s ambition and his desire to continue playing alongside some of the world’s best players. However, the financial situation at Barcelona has changed since then, and the club is now open to selling De Jong to alleviate their financial woes.
Heading: Manchester City’s Need for a Top-Class Midfielder
With Ilkay Gundogan’s departure to Barcelona, Manchester City is in need of a top-class midfielder to fill the void. Guardiola sees De Jong as the perfect candidate to strengthen his midfield options and maintain the team’s success.
De Jong’s versatility and technical abilities make him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s style of play. His ability to control the tempo of the game, dictate play from deep positions, and contribute defensively would add another dimension to Manchester City’s midfield.
Heading: The Potential Transfer Fee and Negotiations
Barcelona is expected to demand a fee of up to £90 million for De Jong. While this may seem steep, Manchester City has shown in the past that they are willing to spend big on top-quality players. With the funds freed up from the failed Declan Rice bid, Guardiola has the financial resources to meet Barcelona’s asking price.
Negotiations between the two clubs are likely to be complex, but Manchester City’s financial power could give them an advantage. The prospect of playing under Guardiola and competing for major trophies could also be enticing for De Jong.
Heading: Conclusion
Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong highlights Manchester City’s ambition to strengthen their midfield options. After walking away from a bid for Declan Rice, Guardiola has turned his attention back to De Jong, who he previously tried to sign in 2019. Barcelona’s financial struggles have opened the door for a potential sale, and Manchester City’s financial resources make them an attractive destination for the Dutch midfielder. While negotiations may be challenging, the prospect of playing under Guardiola and competing for major honors could sway De Jong’s decision.