Premier League clubs may once again express interest in Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong during the upcoming summer transfer window. Despite rejecting moves to Manchester United and Chelsea last year, the Dutch international’s future at the Catalan club seems uncertain.
Barcelona’s midfield maestro Frenkie de Jong has recently been making headlines in the world of football. The Dutch midfielder, who has been a key figure in Ronald Koeman’s squad since his arrival at the Camp Nou in 2019, is once again being linked with a potential move to the Premier League in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Despite rejecting advances from Manchester United and Chelsea in the previous transfer window, de Jong’s future at the Catalan club is said to be in jeopardy. According to reports from Marca, the Barcelona hierarchy recently met with the representatives of Manchester City’s midfield maestro Ilkay Gundogan to discuss a potential transfer for the German international.
While Gundogan’s current contract with the Citizens expires at the end of the season, he is said to be in negotiations with the Premier League champions regarding an extension. However, this has not deterred Barcelona from showing their interest in the 32-year-old midfielder, who could add valuable experience to the Blaugrana’s midfield ranks.
Should Gundogan arrive at the Camp Nou, it is expected that a high-profile departure from the club’s midfield could be on the cards.
With the likes of Pedri and Gavi making impressive strides in their development and Franck Kessie arriving last summer, the competition for places in the middle of the park is already intense.
One player who could make way for Gundogan is de Jong. Despite his undeniable talent and ability, the 25-year-old has struggled to replicate his form from his Ajax days since his move to Barcelona.
In addition, de Jong’s salary demands have caused further unrest at the club, with the player reportedly refusing to accept a pay cut.
This has put the Catalan club in a difficult position, with their financial troubles well-documented. The board’s requests for a salary reduction have gone unanswered, and it remains to be seen whether de Jong will be willing to compromise on his salary in the future.
In the midst of all this uncertainty, Manchester United and Chelsea are said to be monitoring de Jong’s situation closely. With both clubs in need of midfield reinforcements, the Dutchman could be a top target for the Premier League giants come the summer.
Despite de Jong’s recent struggles, his undeniable talent and potential mean that he is still a highly sought-after player in the transfer market.
As Barcelona continue to plot their summer transfer moves, it will be interesting to see whether they are able to hold on to one of their prized assets or whether the allure of the Premier League proves too strong.