Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong could once again be the centrepiece of a significant amount of summer transfer interest from the Premier League. Despite rejecting moves to Manchester United and Chelsea in the window before the 2022/23 season, the Dutch midfielder's days at the Catalan club appear numbered with Barca plotting their own moves for the coming summer window.
According to Marca, Barcelona chiefs met with the representative of Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan regarding a potential transfer. The 32-year-old sees his current deal expire at the end of the season and is said to be in talks with City, however that does not rule out a potential move to Barcelona.
Xavi's midfield options are already vast with Pedri and Gavi continuing their development and looking set to be joined by the latest academy starlet Pablo Torre. Franck Kessie arrived last summer and club stalwart Sergio Busquets looks primed for one more season at the club.
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For Gundogan to come in, a midfield departure would likely have to be sanctioned and the expectation is that de Jong would be the player to leave. The former Ajax man has endured a tough spell since his move away from the pitch with his contract details leaked.
Barcelona's board also sent many requests directly to de Jong asking him to reduce his salary due to the club's severe financial problems. However, the 25-year-old refused to take a pay cut and remains firm on that stance as he looks set to rebuff Barca's latest salary reduction request.
In the midst of his difficulties at Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United have tried to sign him and six months on from their strong interest, both clubs are still in need of midfielders. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are the obvious midfield targets for the Blues, while Erik ten Hag could look to make Marcel Sabitzer's loan from Bayern Munich permanent after a good start to his United career.
De Jong, who played under ten Hag at Ajax, lined up against his former United boss in the Europa League on Thursday night. The two sleeping giants played out at a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Nou Camp with the second leg to follow at Old Trafford next week.
Ahead of the game ten Hag was full of praise for de Jong. “He's a fantastic player and has become even better," he said. "Playing out from the back, he always has time. It was a pleasure working with him. He would strengthen any squad in the world. He's got unique quality.”
De Jong played the full 90 minutes against the Red Devils looking composed in the middle of the park. With his issues at Barca still rumbling on and their own midfield recruitment plans, a move to the Premier League for de Jong is certainly not out of the question yet.
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