Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola wants to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, a player Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United are also reportedly keen on.
Pep Guardiola wants Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong at Manchester City
Journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport that Manchester City are interested in signing De Jong from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
The Netherlands international midfielder is a player that City manager Guardiola “has long admired”, according to the report.
Jones has added that the chances of defending Premier League champions City signing the 25-year-old £232,000-a-week (SalarySport) star “are low unless Barca U-turn on their recent stance and decide to sell him to raise cash”.
Blow for the Red Devils
City’s interest is De Jong will come as a blow for Manchester United.
United have also been linked with the former Ajax star.
The Guardian reported in March that the Red Devils want to sign De Jong in the summer of 2023.
Ten Hag reportedly wanted the Dutchman at Old Trafford in the summer of 2022 as well, but a move did not materialise.
The report did say that De Jong does not want to leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
And you can understand why.
While Barcelona have been failure in Europe this season, Xavi’s side are on the verge of winning La Liga title.
And De Jong is playing regularly for the Blaugrana.
The Barcelona no. 21 has made 24 starts and four substitute appearances in La Liga this Eason.
The 25-year-old has scored two goals and given two assists in those games.
True, Ten Hag is doing well at United, but City are one of the best teams to play for at the moment.
And De Jong could be tempted to move to a club who are winning major trophies on a regular basis.
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