Hansi Flick is aware that there is a possibility of losing Frenkie de Jong soon. Currently, the player continues to refuse to extend his contract, which expires in 2026, prompting Barcelona to consider selling him.
In recent hours, rumors about his potential move to Manchester City starting in January have gained momentum, as he would serve as a replacement for Rodrigo Hernández, who will miss the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury.
According to information from El Nacional, Pep Guardiola has identified De Jong as a reliable replacement, and Txiki Begiristain intends to start negotiations with Joan Laporta and Deco to reach an agreement.
At Camp Nou, they are already preparing for the possible departure of the Dutch player, as they hope to receive significant financial compensation, which would allow them to alleviate his high salary, considered the highest in the entire dressing room.
The newspaper added that if De Jong leaves, Flick is betting on signing a new midfielder and has expressed particular interest in Ederson dos Santos, who plays for Atalanta Bergamo.
Ederson is regarded as one of the best footballers in his position in the Italian league and performed excellently last season.
He was a key player in Atalanta’s victory in the Europa League, and they were the only team that managed to defeat the unstoppable Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso.
The player is characterized by his ability to sacrifice himself, recover balls, and organize the game.
At 25 years old, he is still considered young, and Flick did not hesitate to recommend this deal to Barcelona, especially if they manage to sell De Jong.
The deal is expected to cost around 40 million euros, which is half of what Laporta and Deco hope to achieve from selling the Dutch player.