Ajax midfielder Frenkie De Jong edges closer to a move to the La Liga outfit FC Barcelona, according to the Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. The Netherlands International has been constantly linked with the Catalans for the most part of this season following a tremendous start to the campaign which sees Ajax take part in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The 21-year-old has been one of the best players to come through the Ajax academy in recent years, and he has attracted interest from plenty of sides including FC Barcelona over the past few months.
Ajax wonderkid Frenkie de Jong’s move to Barcelona ‘edging closer’ as Catalan giants lead race to sign him https://t.co/3ApI2hs2ne pic.twitter.com/KQb61ZTftT
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) December 24, 2018
Apart from Barcelona, the other two sides who are contesting to secure his signature are Paris Saint-German and Manchester City. But, it looks like they have been rebuffed by the Netherlands International who looks nothing but certain to join the reigning La Liga Champions.
The offer from FC Barcelona looks to be significant, but not opulent. Following the departure of Andres Iniesta, FC Barcelona have been actively seeking a midfielder to control the game and tick the ball from midfield to the attack.
The source also says that the Blaugrana manager Ernesto Valverde is keen to lure him to Nou Camp as he sees so much talent in the midfielder who could one day turn into a world beater.
Ajax director Marc Overmars also provided an output by saying that Barcelona are the favourites to land him, but things could dramatically within a blink of an eye. Besides, De Jong has insisted his desire to play in Spain one day.
Overmars (sporting director Ajax): “Race for Frenkie de Jong and de Ligt? Barcelona is my favourite, it’s a fantastic club, but there are two other clubs that are very close.” [via tribuna] pic.twitter.com/Sk3I6agmC2
— Barça Centre (@barcacentre) December 17, 2018
Mundo also mentions that the offer is in line to be made with what the agent has asked for the client, but the fees would include variables. Ajax have set a 70 million Euros price tag and has given green light to negotiate with the potential suitors. It has become increasingly possible to see the midfielder in Blue and Red stripes next season.
His agent Ali Dursun has said that the midfielder will make his mind in the upcoming weeks about his next destination.
‘I think a decision will be made in the coming weeks. As such, he can focus on football in the month following the Christmas break. He needs to concentrate on that. He is fighting to win trophies with Ajax and the Dutch national team.”
At the age of 21, he has shown such maturity and has a brilliant skill set. Ronald Koeman has also been his admirer and has included in his side more often than not. Earlier this year, the former Barcelona player and the current Netherlands boss said that he is lucky to have him in his side.
“The impression I get from him is the impression I already had. His development is going very fast.
“He is a great footballer with a great insight, who can play in multiple positions in the midfield. I use him for that, I do not use him as a defender”
“Even now that he is playing at an even higher level with the Dutch national team, he can keep up well. We are blessed with this kind of talent, it may just be that he is going to make his debut.”
🗣️ Xavi: “I like Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong a lot, and they’d be very good for Barcelona. They don’t lose the ball, and they bring it out well. They already have the Barça DNA coming from Ajax, which has always been a good school for us. And they’re young.”
[MARCA] pic.twitter.com/c2yymMcRd8
— Omar 🎗️ (@Blaugranagram) December 21, 2018
FC Barcelona will not be in action until 6th January when they play Granada away from home.
