City, Barcelona target De Jong
LONDON: Manchester City want to sign Ajax and Holland star Frenkie de Jong next summer.
Pep Guardiola decided against signing a central midfielder after his failed bid for Jorginho, who joined Chelsea for £57 million (RM310 million), but is acutely aware City need to strengthen in that area.
City have watched De Jong extensively but will face competition for one of the finest young talents in European football.
Barcelona have also made checks on the 21-year-old Dutchman, with club legend Xavi having compared him to Sergio Busquets.
Ajax are expected to demand as much as £70 million for De Jong, which would mean City having to break their transfer record set by the £60 million capture of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester last summer.
City are not looking at signing a midfielder in January, although that could change if Guardiola is hit by more injuries.
The champions are also watching other targets in that position and are known admirers of Ruben Neves at Wolves.
De Jong has stressed he would like to see out the full season with Ajax.
The Premier League leaders — set to welcome back Kevin De Bruyne late yesterday against Burnley after two months out with a knee injury — also want Leroy Sane to sign a new deal.
Guardiola confirmed on Friday that discussions over fresh terms are ongoing, as they are with winger Raheem Sterling.
Sane’s contract runs out in 2021 but the Germany international wants to negotiate a pay increase.