Frenkie de Jong replaces Paul Pogba as main Barcelona target
Barcelona are renewing their attempts to sign Frenkie de Jong after being denied in their attempt to bring in Paul Pogba.
Barcelona have had an impressive transfer window so far, but their business isn’t close to being done because the club still wants to bring in another midfielder. Arthur and Arturo Vidal have been brought in, but a back-up for Sergio Busquets is needed.
Paul Pogba wasn’t intended for that role because he’s suited to playing a more advanced role. However, he was a star player who they believed was available because of his poor relationship with Jose Mourinho so it was more of an ambitious high-profile move rather than a squad need. According to Sport, Barcelona have shifted their focus to De Jong due to Manchester United being unwilling to sell Pogba.
Oriol Busquets and Sergi Samper are the main options for the defensive midfield role while Sergi Roberto was used there in pre-season. However, Ernesto Valverde doesn’t appear to favour Samper and Roberto is better as a central midfielder or right-back.
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The younger Busquets is still developing, so de Jong would ensure that they have a suitable back-up immediately in order to ensure Busquets isn’t overworked in the upcoming season. He could then provide direct competition for the back-up role as well as the long-term replacement for Busquets with Oriol.
This transfer is likely to be dependent on Ajax’s performance in the Champions League qualifying stages. Qualifying for the group stages would be a huge financial boost, so it would make sense to keep together as much of the team as possible in order to maximise their chances of getting into the knockout rounds.
They are currently in the third qualifying round and hold the advantage due to drawing 2-2 away with Standard Liege, although they did blow a two-goal lead. If they hold on to that advantage then they will play the winner of Slavia Prague v Dynamo Kiev. That round doesn’t finish until the 28th August, though, so his future might not be decided until the end of the transfer window.
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An early exit could see them allow de Jong to move on, but a return to the Champions League might persuade them to keep him for another season even if he wants to move. Regardless, Barcelona should attempt to secure either first option or an agreement for next summer if they can’t bring him in this summer. He is the perfect fit for a Barcelona pivot due to how he reads the game and the technical ability that he has to enact that vision and solve build-up problems.