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Frenkie de Jong is among the biggest transfer stories of this summer. The Dutchman leaving Barcelona came in as a surprise for everyone back in June. De Jong since joining Barcelona had been a critical player in their plans. Moreover, he played a crucial role for the club last season.
De Jong adapted his game since joining Barca and has become more of a centre midfielder (CM) than a centre defensive midfielder (CDM) since his Ajax days. Last season, one witnessed De Jong take his game to the next level. He started to take those darting runs in the box creating havoc in the opposition defence. Overall, FDJ has been influential for Barca.
But since the start of the transfer window, there has been this buzz that Frenkie De Jong might leave Barcelona and the saga has gone on for too long. To date, it's unclear where Frenkie De Jong would play at the start of this season.
Considering De Jong's worth and valuation this is an excellent opportunity for cash-striped Catalans to generate much-needed cash inflow.
Here in this article, we will look at 3 clubs who are very much interested in Frenkie De Jong and who might go after him.
1. Manchester United: The Obvious one
The day former Ajax man, Erik Ten Hag was appointed Manchester United boss, as per reports, his first demand to Manchester management was Frenkie De Jong. Erik Ten Hag knows De Jong in and out as he coached him earlier at Ajax and had got the best out of him.
Ten Hag wants De Jong to be the base for his new Manchester United era. Another obvious reason why Manchester United followed Frenkie De Jong is their lack of depth in CDM / DM. Manchester United over the years had players for that position but unfortunately, none was a proper out-and-out CDM and De Jong fits the required qualifications of being a Manchester United CDM.
According to reports, Manchester United already submitted their first bid of 60 million for the dutchmen which was straightway rejected by Barcelona. Another bid is being prepared and it would be interesting to see if it gets accepted.
2. Chelsea: The New Comer
The Chelsea Football Club have just got a new owner in Todd Boehly and he wants to make a statement by signing big names and who better than Frenkie De Jong. According to reports, negotiations between Barcelona and Chelsea could be much smoother as both clubs want something from one another. As far as Blaugrana are considered they have been heavily linked with the Chelsea full-back duo of Marcus Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta and Chelsea can include these 2 names to sweeten the deal.
It is also being reported that Barcelona President Joan Laporta and Chelsea new boss Todd Boehly secretly met in Barcelona and the first round of talks might have taken place. De Jong joining Chelsea will give Chelsea’s midfield that cutting edge over other big clubs in the Premier League. Another plus point that Chelsea can offer the Dutchman is a chance to play in the UEFA Champions League which its rival United cannot.
Now with Chelsea coming in this transfer saga, the episode has become much more intense and might go on for a prolonged period.
3. Paris Saint Germain: The Outsider
Another club that might join the race to sign the Dutch might be Ligue 1 Champions PSG. PSG owner (President) Nasser AL- Khelafi is known for making big money signings at the start of each season. With Pochettino gone and the new boss, Galtier coming in, De Jong's arrival surely will be discussed.
Galtier would love to have a player like De Jong in his team. PSG have their own problems in midfield as players like Andre Herrera, and Georginio Wijnaldum are unhappy and want to leave Paris. PSG star player maker Marco Verratti is ageing and PSG will surely want someone younger to take up the mantle from him. Frenkie De Jong fits in that category perfectly and if PSG is serious about him, expect a big hefty check on cards for the 25-year-old.
Yet currently the battle for De Jong is between two premier league giants and PSG is an outsider. But this is what makes football exciting as things and situations can change pretty quickly overnight and sometimes even the most unexpected transform into reality.
