Spurs are reportedly hoping to bring Ajax’s De Jong to the Premier League – but Manchester City and La Liga champions Barcelona are also keen.
If any Tottenham Hotspur fans were tuning into the thrilling Nations League clash between Germany and Holland on Tuesday night, it should have become quickly apparent why Mauricio Pochettino is so hopeful of bringing Frenkie de Jong to North London.
The 21-year-old Ajax midfielder has been linked with a move to Tottenham for the best part of a year now with The Mirror most recently claiming interest from the Premier League giants.
And certainly De Jong showed what all the fuss is about during the November international break. During the 2-2 comeback draw with Germany and Friday’s deserved 2-0 win against France, results that secure The Netherlands’ place in the Nations League final four, De Jong highlighted the composure, class and vision that marks him out as a special midfield talent.
With Barcelona also understood to be firm admirers of the Amsterdam-based starlet, former assistant coach Henk Ten Cate has been speaking to Mundo Deportivo about his compatriot – and believes De Jong has the talent to emulate two Camp Nou legends.
“De Jong can be a mixture of Deco and Xavi, but he is De Jong,” said Ten Cate, who worked alongside Dutchman Frank Rijkaard between 2003 and 2006.
Unfortunately for Pochettino, the chances of De Jong moving to North London in the New Year might now be slimmer now than ever.
The Mirror added that Tottenham have accepted that Manchester City are likely to win the race with the Oranje playmaker apparently set for a move to the Etihad that could cost a massive £61 million.
De Jong could be the long-term Fernandinho successor that Pep Guardiola is searching for.
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