Arsenal are strong suitors for Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong after the Dutchman name-checked the north Londoners as a future destination
(Image credit: David Ramos/Getty Images)
Arsenal are at the front of the queue for Barcelona superstar Frenkie De Jong, following comments from the Dutchman himself.
De Jong joined the Catalan giants in 2019 after impressing hugely on Ajax's incredible run to the Champions League semi-finals – but has been constantly linked with moves since. Manchester United were strongly linked in Erik ten Hag's first summer at Old Trafford, though wages are thought to be a sticking point in any move.
It's been reported that De Jong earns around £9 million a year, which would be difficult to negotiate for any Premier League club, though news has emerged that he's looking to depart La Liga.
Erik ten Hag chased De Jong to no avail in 2022 (Image credit: Getty Images)
Spanish outlet Relevo has reported that the 26-year-old is “no longer closing the door” on a Barcelona exit and could well leave this summer.
This has sparked plenty of hope from Arsenal fans on social media that De Jong could find himself in North London, having admitted in 2019 that he always imagined playing for the Gunners.
“In my mind, I have had the following list for a long time: Ajax-Arsenal-Barcelona, call it the Marc Overmars route,” he said, before adding, “But yes, if you can go directly to Barcelona, then you are also right where you want to be. Faster than you ever dared to dream.”
Marc Overmars went from Ajax to Arsenal to Barcelona – just as De Jong envisioned doing (Image credit: Getty)
Manchester City could well challenge Arsenal for the star, with Pep Guardiola a reported fan. Bernardo Silva apparently has a £50m release clause and a desire to go to Barça one day, perhaps making any potential moves between the two players and two sides a little easier.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
