“Many things come out that are not true, it is irritating me.”
The sometimes mellow Frenkie de Jong took on an air of defiance as he confronted the media forward of Barcelona’s Champions League spherical of 16 first leg draw with Napoli.
The Dutchman has by no means been too distant from switch hearsay mills since he switched Amsterdam for Catalonia in 2019 given the membership’s dire monetary state of affairs, though current hyperlinks – which thrust De Jong’s reported wage into prominence – have gotten the midfielder’s again up.
With De Jong, who solely lately turned a father, content material in Barcelona and sporting director Deco confirming the membership’s intentions to maintain the 26-year-old this summer season, an exit does at present seem unlikely. However, Barca’s monetary points imply De Jong’s sale cannot definitively be dominated out.
The Dutch star would have loads of suitors, and listed below are some potential candidates for his signature if he had been to develop into obtainable.
While Ange Postecoglou has been capable of candy speak many into signing for Tottenham since he arrived in north London final summer season, it’d take an entire lot greater than mere phrases to influence De Jong to change Barcelona for the Lilywhites.
Spurs could also be on the rise, however they’d want Champions League soccer to even give themselves an opportunity of entertaining the Dutchman. De Jong would, in fact, be an immense addition to Tottenham’s midfield and would doubtless function because the #6 in Ange’s configuration.
The midfielder was reportedly near becoming a member of Spurs lengthy earlier than his Barca change and a few Spanish retailers broke the information of a €60m bid arriving from the Premier League membership for the 26-year-old. Those reviews, nonetheless, have since been rubbished.
Likelihood score: 2/10
De Jong was as soon as getting ready to a transfer to Old Trafford in the summertime of 2022, with a £70m deal reportedly in place. The switch fell by means of, nonetheless, and United turned to veteran Casemiro to mitigate their midfield woes on the finish of the switch window.
Erik ten Hag, who oversaw De Jong’s growth at Ajax, was a significant factor within the Dutchman’s curiosity two years in the past, and whereas United have as soon as once more been linked with the 26-year-old, there are not any ensures Ten Hag might be on the membership past the summer season.
United additionally face an uphill battle to qualify for subsequent season’s reformatted Champions League.
Still, the INEOS-led venture may intrigue De Jong with the Red Devils poised to make extra midfield strikes.
Likelihood score: 3/10
Like PSG, De Jong, whose profile is comparatively laborious to outline, is not the midfielder Bayern Munich essentially require.
Bayern nonetheless want somebody within the mould of Joao Palhinha, who got here near becoming a member of the membership final summer season. An outright #6 is on the menu in Bavaria; a duel-winner, stabiliser and defensive phenom.
The all-around spectacular De Jong boasts points of the midfielder Bayern crave and his athleticism means he ought to have little points adjusting to the space-haven that’s the Bundesliga.
Bayern reportedly shortlisted De Jong after lacking out on Declan Rice final summer season and will contemplate the 26-year-old on the finish of what has the makings of a trophy-less 2023/24 season.
Even if he is not the #6 Bayern desperately want, De Jong can be an improve over Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer and even Joshua Kimmich.
Likelihood score: 4/10
No matter how the 2023/24 marketing campaign pans out for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta might be eager to supervise midfield adjustments this summer season.
The perpetually unavailable Thomas Partey will certainly be moved on, whereas 32-year-old Jorginho will solely signal a short-term take care of the membership if he does lengthen his keep.
The Gunners had been linked with an array of youthful midfield stars forward of the January window and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is reportedly on their summer season wishlist. However, De Jong should be thought of by the Gunners if their funds permit them to pursue a transfer.
He’d be completely very best for Arteta given his refined versatility and all-encompassing expertise. Imagine De Jong and Declan Rice working in tandem. Filth.
Likelihood score: 5/10
When reviews had been rife relating to Barca’s have to promote De Jong this summer season to ease their monetary burden, PSG had been on the forefront of potential candidates.
The French giants are parting methods with Kylian Mbappe this summer season and are poised to float away from their Galacticos method to recruitment which did not convey concerning the desired rewards on the continental stage.
PSG have a supervisor in Luis Enrique who’s undoubtedly able to overseeing a venture, however there are holes in his squad excluding the monster void Mbappe will go away.
Enrique is blessed with a litany of proficient midfielders together with Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery and Fabian Ruiz, however Manuel Ugarte has up to now been left wanting on the largest stage. De Jong is probably not the profile PSG require, however the Dutchman can be a substantial improve on the Uruguayan.
Likelihood score: 6/10
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