It has been reported that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is now personally keen on a transfer involving Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
This comes from the Sun, after it was recently claimed that the treble-winners pulled out of the race to sign Arsenal-bound dynamo Declan Rice.
Now, it seems like Pep Guardiola would like to see Frenkie de Jong in a Manchester City shirt next season.
Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to complete Frenkie de Jong transfer
With Ilkay Gundogan having left to join Xavi’s side, the Sky Blues are yet to bring in a replacement for him, with Mateo Kovacic most suited to playing in a much deeper role in midfield.
City are still in desperate need of an advanced midfielder and in any case, another No.8, as it is also possible that Bernardo Silva may be on his way out this summer.
As a result, it has been reported that Pep Guardiola is ‘mulling over’ the arrival of Frenkie de Jong, as Manchester City aim to bolster their midfield heading into the following campaign.
However, it has been claimed that Barcelona will demand a hefty £90 million fee to part ways with the silky technician, branded as ‘world-class’ by Xavi, as relayed by Football Espana.
Frenkie de Jong is too similar to Mateo Kovacic
There is no disputing that it is easy to see how Pep Guardiola and Frenkie de Jong would be a match made in heaven at Manchester City.
But while assessing the Dutchman’s traits, one will discover that he is eerily similar to Mateo Kovacic.
For starters, neither of the pair can operate in Ilkay Gundogan’s advanced role and instead, are actually left-sided No.8’s.
Both are adept at controlling games, with their elite ball-carrying being their standout trait, whilst being solid, if not spectacular off-the ball.
A better way to build the midfield for the future for the Premier League champions is to look to sign a different profile of player; either a midfielder that could perhaps play the John Stones role or one that is a threat in the final third.
