KEY POINTS

  • Frenkie de Jong is contracted with Barcelona until 2026
  • Bayern Munich wanted to sign him last January
  • He has made over 100 appearances for Barcelona

FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is reportedly being chased by a few top European clubs ahead of the 2022 summer market.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich are monitoring de Jong’s situation at Barcelona, whose current deal ends in 2026, according to Italian publication Calciomercato.

Raheem Sterling has been linked with a move to Barcelona next summer, which could play a part to land de Jong at Etihad Stadium, according to ESPN.

Manchester City have one of the best midfielders at present, comprising the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden.

However, Silva is believed to be nearing an end to his career at Man City, having requested an exit last summer. Germany’s Gundogan turned 31 last week and has a contract that runs out in 2023. In addition, De Bruyne has suffered various injury issues lately. Therefore, it is ideal for Manchester City to begin planning for the future and someone of de Jong’s quality would fit well in Pep Guardiola’s setup.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s interest in de Jong is not new. The Bundesliga champions were interested in the talented midfielder before his move from Ajax to Barcelona in 2019. The German club once again had tried their luck last January to secure de Jong.

The 24-year-old midfielder moved from Ajax to Camp Nou at a fee of around $87 million. De Jong took time to settle in Catalonia but eventually became a permanent starter in the center of the pitch for Barcelona and enjoyed a great 2020-21 campaign, individually at least.

Lionel Messi with Frenkie de Jong at the end of Barcelona's 2-0 win away to Juventus
Lionel Messi with Frenkie de Jong during a Barcelona game AFP / Marco BERTORELLO

De Jong made 51 competitive appearances for Barcelona last season and scored seven goals, along with nine assists. He even scored a goal and set up two more in the final of Copa del Rey, which Barcelona won by beating Athletic Club 4-0.

The Netherlands national had a poor El Classico, which Barcelona lost 2-1 at Camp Nou to Real Madrid on Sunday. De Jong, who was subbed off in the second half against Los Blancos, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, which has come as a major set back for Ronald Koeman, whose Barcelona is currently at ninth place in the 2021-22 La Liga table.

"First team player F. de Jong has a right hamstring strain. He is out and his recovery will dictate his return," Barcelona tweeted.

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