Manchester City are working hard to sign another midfielder as club captain Fernandinho is set to leave the club after nine years at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola is not comfortable with Rodri being the only holding midfielder as the Spaniard fears injuries, which have become rather commonplace in his squad this season.
Guardiola has identified Netherlands international Frenkie De Jong as a suitable option in the holding midfield role and sees the 24-year-old as a player that can give Rodri healthy competition. Sources close to the club report that Guardiola admires DeJong style of play and has been urging the City board to back him in his transfer chase of De Jong.
The Barcelona star joined the Catalans in 2019 summer from Ajax after the Dutch club’s fairy-tale UEFA Champions League came to an end by Tottenham in the semi-final. De Jong was a very instrumental player during that famous Champions League run and it was little surprise when Barcelona came calling with a deal that was over £70m for the Dutchman. He was also nominated for the 2019 Ballon D’Or top 30 following a stellar performance in the 2018/19 season.
However, De Jong struggled upon his arrival at the Spanish club and many sources close to him attributed his slow start to the new environment and the language barrier as De Jong hardly knew a word of Spanish when he arrived Barcelona. Barcelona openly defended him and slowly he began to find his footing in his new environment and has recently been a big part of Xavi Hernandez plans.
Barcelona have turned down bids from various clubs for De Jong’s transfer and Bayern Munich were willing to go all out to sign him for as high as £40m which was declined by Barca. Manchester City have also been rebuffed by the club and De Jong has openly stated he intends to remain Barcelona player beyond next season. Manchester City have come again with an improved bid and will hope Barcelona accept their offer.
De Jong is considered a solution to City’s midfield lack of depth and will be an integral part of Guardiola’s plan. City have signed Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for around £54m and could also look to bolster their squad in other areas asides the midfield, with Nico Tagliafico a big option for the left-back position as Oleksandr Zinchenko happens to be the only left-footed full-back in the City squad currently.
City are considering a £45m fee for De Jong and have communicated with Barcelona who are though unwilling, may consider the offer as they are expected to finalise the transfer of Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie on a free transfer from AC Milan. Kessie was tipped to sign for Manchester United, but the player declined and opted for the Catalan giants.
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