Manchester City are the latest club to show an interest in Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, but would not match the Catalan club’s asking price.
That’s according to Sport, who say Pep Guardiola’s side has ‘positioned itself’ for a potential move in the summer transfer window.
The Dutchman’s future has been the subject of intense speculation over the last week or so, with it reported in Spain that Barcelona would be happy to sell the Dutchman for the right price.
Manchester United have been put at the top of the list of suitors, but it is actually Manchester City who have made the latest moves, according to Sport.
They have been ‘consulting price options’ with Barcelona as they consider De Jong a ‘perfect profile’ for their midfield. They are not, though, ‘willing to pay excess prices’.
Barcelona have been clear that they value the Dutchman at €100m, a big rise on the recent reports that put his price tag at €70-80m this summer, although ‘everything would be negotiable’.
Manchester City would not be willing to reach that figure, but they will consider the option of paying a figure in cash and including a player to make whole operation cheaper.
In principle, Barcelona are only interested in a ‘pure and simple transfer’ as they would prefer to just receive a ‘multimillon-dollar figure’ to bolster their coffers.
It also remains to be seen what De Jong thinks, as he is comfortable at the Camp Nou and would prefer to stay if he has the choice.
That might be taken out of his hands as Barcelona need to secure a big sale, and De Jong represents the ‘big option’ for them to do so, particularly with the likes of Manchester City ready to pay for him if he is made available for a transfer.
