According to El Nacional, top European rivals Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Barca outbid the two previously mentioned teams for the Dutchman in 2019, agreeing to pay Ajax around $82 million (€75 million) for his services.
De Jong has gradually established himself as one of the top midfielders in the world since then, with his high-level performances in recent seasons not going unnoticed.
During the pandemic, the number 21 extended his contract until June 30, 2026, and Barcelona would prefer to extend it if feasible, as SPORT revealed in October.
The suggested agreement would have him take a two-year pay cut at first, then get staggered payments as part of a plan that would bind De Jong to the club “practically for life.”
Sporting director Deco has already contacted De Jong’s agency in an attempt to renew terms, but their camp is not in any hurry to sit down at the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, El Nacional says Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain would like to put pressure on Barcelona by luring De Jong away from the Montjuic Stadium.
Despite the fact that the player is deemed important to Xavi Hernandez’s sporting objective, Barcelona’s financial difficulties may entice them to listen to offers in the $98 million (€90 million) range.
De Jong has regularly faced conjecture and uncertainties regarding his future as one of the Catalans’ most sellable assets.
According to The Athletic, Barcelona accepted a $92.8 million (€85 million) bid from Manchester United for De Jong in July 2022, only for De Jong to snub a reunion with his ex-Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
The lack of Champions League football at the time, as well as a desire to perform under Xavi, were cited as De Jong’s key factors for turning down the PremierPINC +1.3% League heavyweights’ offer.
De Jong was warming the bench at the time because the management preferred Gavi and Pedri.
Fast forward almost a year and a half, and De Jong is now vital in the center of the park alongside Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan, while Gavi is out for the season with an ACL tear.