Manchester City will have to pay a club-record £75million in the upcoming bidding war with Barcelona for the new Johan Cruyff.
Premier League champions and leaders City have made Holland and Ajax star Frenkie De Jong their top transfer target after scouring the world for a top central midfielder.
They identified De Jong after missing out on Napoli's Jorginho to Chelsea in the summer and feel the 21-year-old Dutchman can become the long-term successor to Fernandinho at the Etihad.
However, Spanish champions Barca are also very keen on De Jong, and several other top clubs are monitoring the rapid progress he's making this season.
Amsterdam-based Ajax feel they can demand up to £75m for De Jong because of this growing interest in him.
That means City would have to eclipse the club record £60m they paid Leicester for winger Riyad Mahrez in the summer.
Ajax’s hand is also strengthened by the fact that De Jong is under contract with them until June 2022.
Sources in Holland claim Barcelona are determined to top any offer City make in the battle for the midfielder.
Ajax are insistent they do not want to sell De Jong in the upcoming January window and will not consider cashing in on him until the summer at the earliest.
This will not deter City and they have proved with their successful pursuits of Mahrez and Athletic Bilbao defender Aymeric Laporte that they are prepared to be patient.
De Jong burst onto the international scene this season and he only won his first cap under new manager Ronald Koeman in September.
He has already established himself as a key member of Holland’s team in his four appearances, and has been likened to the legendary Cruyff in their homeland because of his style.
De Jong was part of the team which earned a dramatic late draw with Germany on Monday to join England, Switzerland and hosts Portugal in next June's Nations League semi-finals.
Cityhala
0
I wish City can sign him, we really need a young and promising lad to replace the ageing David Silva and Fanandinho who are extremely doing fantastically for the Citizens.
Leaeimpru
0
let's buy him. either way haters say we spend
Wikanru
0
money is no issue to man city....make it rain on dem haterz
ffp is the issue..
BrianKessy
5
money is no issue to man city....make it rain on dem haterz
G/O/A/T
6
The Greatest, The best in his Era. Johan Cyruff
Bazzz
2
Make it happen pep, Silva is already 33 years old. We need the future maestro for citizens
Jattfanmessida
1
It is very early to compare him with the Great Great Johan Cruyff...He is just a good lad while Johan proved everything on the pitch....How can we compare Arthur with Pele...This is totally nonsense.....
tonialen
0
you are very stupid which team has less cm??? city, nd fernandinho is getting old so he will have a better chance at city...at barca he has competition with busquets,vidal,rakitic and arthur..
where is gundogan he hardly starts games
pesaeknyz
0
While I'll be happy if he comes to City, but £75 million is too high and I don't see City splashing such an amount on a 21 year old with very little experience.
Daudlmpuz
0
Somehow I feel like City won’t spend that much on him. City have money we all know that but people don’t see that City spends very smart. Mahrez was 60m I cant see them splashing 75m on him. You never know how he’ll do in the prem! Anyway I’d still be happy if we get him.👍
true. I dont hope so much man city signing him but If we sign him, it's good thing.
INCANSABLE
8
I know frenkie is a great player with loads of talent and ambition but i don't think barca should go for if.His asking price is too much and Barca can't afford it right now.They need to strengthen their other positions.They desperately need a replacement fir Suarez and Pique.Barca priority should be to sign De ligt and a replacement for Suarez. And about The midfield we have plenty of players and should look to promote from within.As the likes of Alena/Puig/O.Busqets.
hitomu
8
join Man city bcuz Fernandihno is aging u will get full time time play ....n moreover Pep can transform.you to become the most talented midfielder in the world....make Decision wisely ....
Maxpower
1
City buy smart, I honearly dont see him at City with Laporte and Stones, along with youngsters getting their chance already. I think he'll either go to another prem giant or Spain, unless the tax fraud going around scares him off away from La Liga which is understandable. Spanish FA is greedy for money all the time
CityMan
5
Somehow I feel like City won’t spend that much on him. City have money we all know that but people don’t see that City spends very smart. Mahrez was 60m I cant see them splashing 75m on him. You never know how he’ll do in the prem! Anyway I’d still be happy if we get him.👍
shirtos10
5
He is already playing like a Cityzen Manchester City will get him with that oil money
Hillmessi
2
Barca will sign him, that's all
whykallar
6
Great Job, it's time for Barca to lose lot of players because of worshipping one single man who's controling the club, the rest of the clubs Will spend money in stopping great players from going to Barca.
kynglawlaw
3
it would be ashamed if de Jong choose to join city instead of Barcelona because he wouldn't get any oppurnity to play in city with the amount of young and talented players they have
you are very stupid which team has less cm??? city, nd fernandinho is getting old so he will have a better chance at city...at barca he has competition with busquets,vidal,rakitic and arthur..
Fusackmz
0
Frenkie de jong is a great talent and it's worth to fight for him.[Comeon] We'll do anything to sign the dutchman.
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we also need to get the Richarlson to replace suarez in the future.
Waeacklsu
4
it would be ashamed if de Jong choose to join city instead of Barcelona because he wouldn't get any oppurnity to play in city with the amount of young and talented players they have
Elsa98
29
Frenkie de jong is a great talent and it's worth to fight for him.[Comeon] We'll do anything to sign the dutchman.
Henryrukis
9
pep please leave him alone. the man has his heart in playing along side Messi. and with that expectations ,he is going against all odds into joining Barcelona .because Barcelona needs these 2.
ReyMessi17
22
The actual best midfielder.
AshniStone
0
We buying this youth for sure