Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola could also join the race to sign a £354,000-per-week star amid the plethora of transfer rumors in recent days, according to reports.
THE LOWDOWN: CITY SET TO BE BUSY?
Coming after the Sky Blues’ heart-breaking defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, and arguably undeserved loss when taking into account their performances over the two legs, City could be set for a busy few months.
Guardiola is now tasked with re-grouping his side and gearing them up for a crunch Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Sunday as they continue to chase the title.
Following on from this season, and entertaining summer transfer window should lie in store, with City reliably believed to have already secured a deal to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
They’re not finished there though as Guardiola and Etihad Stadium officials allegedly cast their eye on a new midfield signing after the Norwegian.
Fernandinho’s summer exit from Eastlands will prompt City chiefs to hunt for his replacement with West Ham star Declan Rice and, shockingly, Man United outcast Paul Pogba on their radar.
Now, according to what has been collected by Daily Mail journalist Jack Gaughan, a supremely reliable source for City news, Guardiola could also ‘reignite interest’ in Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
This comes after the former Ajax sensation was ‘close to the Etihad Stadium’ in 2019 with his family even viewing houses in the North West.
After de Jong eventually decided on a move to Barca, it is believed Guardiola could try to tempt him to Eastlands again this year.
THE VERDICT: NO-BRAINER…
The £354,000-per-week star comes as a real no-brainer in terms of quality.
According to WhoScored, only forward Memphis Depay has matched de Jong in terms of La Liga Man of the Match awards for Barcelona over 2021/2022.
The Netherlands international has also played the fourth-most minutes in Spain’s top flight under Xavi, coming as a real untouchable in their first team alongside Catalan veterans Sergio Busquets, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jordi Alba, and Gerard Pique (WhoScored).
Averaging the same pass accuracy as City mainstay and defensive midfield star Rodri (91.4%), de Jong would come as the perfect like-for-like alternative to Guardiola’s figurehead.
Lauded as ‘phenomenal‘ by former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell, we believe he is a far more credible potential signing than the likes of Pogba.
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