Pep Guardiola is looking for a reliable replacement for Rodri, who suffered a serious injury that will prevent him from playing throughout the season, which has frustrated the fans and management of Manchester City, given the importance of the player.
The Manchester City coach has identified several prominent names to strengthen the team’s midfield, and among the options presented are Martin Zubimendi and Joshua Kimmich. However, the Barcelona player has begun to top the list of candidates in recent weeks.
According to information received from the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional”, since joining Barcelona in 2019, De Jong has become a key element in the team, as he is distinguished by his ability to distribute the game and his tactical intelligence, which makes him one of the most efficient midfielders in the world.
What makes De Jong’s option attractive to Guardiola is his fit with Manchester City’s style that focuses on possession and control of the ball, which the Spanish coach particularly appreciates. Since his time as coach of Barcelona, Guardiola has expressed his admiration for players like De Jong who possess technical skills and comprehensive vision.
On the other hand, Barcelona are suffering from a delicate economic situation, and club president Joan Laporta may be open to discussing the sale of De Jong in January if a tempting offer is found.
The newspaper added that one of the decisive factors in this deal is De Jong’s salary, which is among the highest in the Barcelona squad, and getting rid of his salary by selling him may give the club an opportunity to strengthen its ranks in the future.
At Manchester City, the urgent need to find a replacement for Rodri Guardiola may push negotiations to accelerate, as this is not the first time De Jong’s name has been linked to the English club, but the current situation seems to make his transfer more feasible.
Despite several months before the winter transfer window opens, it is clear that Frenkie de Jong is on Guardiola’s radar, and if negotiations progress and an offer is presented that satisfies all parties, we may see the talented Dutchman join Manchester City next January.