Barcelona select two midfielders to replace Frenkie de Jong – report

With the summer transfer window almost upon us, plans for the player trading period are starting to take shape in a big way at Barcelona.

There is expected to be significant movement through the doors at Camp Nou over the next few weeks. And, one of the players who finds himself staring at an uncertain future in Catalonia is midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

The Netherlands international has been a mainstay for the Blaugrana since arriving in 2019 from AFC Ajax. However, an inconsistent 2021/22 campaign, coupled with Barça’s need for finances, has cast doubts over his future at the club beyond this summer.

Manager Xavi has previously spoken of his desire to keep de Jong at Camp Nou, but is accepting of the fact that the club might have to get rid of him due to the financial situation.

And, now ESPN is reporting that Barcelona are eyeing Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves and Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi as potential replacements for the 25-year-old in case he would leave the club in the summer.

Neves has been on the radars of Barça for quite some time and the club share a good relationship with his agent, Jorge Mendes. The Portuguese international also admitted over the weekend that he might have played his last game for Wolves.

However, the Catalans might face competition from Manchester United, who also happen to be interested in de Jong.

On the other hand, Martin Zubimendi has also been impressing Barcelona scouts since 2019 when he broke into the first-team setup at Real Sociedad. The 23-year-old has developed into a mainstay for the club and comes with a massive release clause of €60 million.

Neither Neves nor Zubimendi would be a like-for-like replacement for de Jong, with the duo being seen more as long-term heirs to Sergio Busquets.

The report adds that Barcelona feel that they are well-covered in the advanced midfield positions even if de Jong leaves as they have Gavi, Pedri and Nico Gonzalez, with Franck Kessie also set to arrive this summer.

It will be interesting to see who Barça decide to rope in this summer, although any move would depend on whether de Jong stays or leaves.