Barcelona seriously considering the sale of €86 million midfield mainstay

Frenkie de Jong has been a mainstay in the middle of the park for FC Barcelona since his arrival in 2019.

Signed from AFC Ajax for a massive fee of €86million, the Netherlands international has been an ever-present in the side when fit and available, racking up 106 appearances for the Catalans. He has scored nine goals and contributed with 14 assists as well.

While de Jong did not have the most memorable debut season, the Dutchman showed signs of growing into his best in the last season under the tutelage of Ronald Koeman. Tipped to be the leader of the Barcelona side from the current season onwards, the 24-year-old has been unable to kick on as expected.

Question marks arose over his big-game pedigree after yet another underwhelming display against Real Madrid in this season’s first El Clasico, while speculations over his future have been doing the rounds quite a fair bit following Koeman’s sacking.

Now, journalist Jose Alvarez on El Chiringuito TV is claiming that the Catalans are strongly considering selling the former Ajax star. It is believed that Barcelona, mired in financial problems, see de Jong as one of their most sellable assets.

Having shelled out €86million on him, the Blaugrana are of the understanding that they can make a profit from selling the ex-Willem II trainee.

Reports of interest from German champions Bayern Munich have been doing the rounds for a while, whereas Manchester City have also been touted as a suitor for the Barcelona midfielder in recent times.

In Pedri, Gavi and Nico Gonzalez, Barca have potential and quality coming through in their midfield department. But with Sergio Busquets not getting any younger, having an experienced campaigner like de Jong to guide the trio would be prudent and sensible.

But then, with the finances being the way they are, it could be understandable if Barcelona decide to offload the Dutchman and reinvest the funds into strengthening the squad across the pitch.