Barcelona won their first Champions League match this week, defeating Young Boys 5-0, after losing their first match against Monaco.
The eagerly anticipated return of Frenkie de Jong, who had been out of action just prior to the Euros, was also witnessed in this midweek match.
De Jong will significantly strengthen Barcelona’s midfield this season and is still a formidable player. Reportedly, in the summer, Hansi Flick requested to prevent the midfield player from being sold.
Manchester United had links to the midfielder, but he was never really an option for the Red Devils, given his high asking price and wages. Erik ten Hag’s side remain in the mix ahead of next summer, when De Jong will have a year left on his Barcelona deal, which makes him someone who could leave the club.
Chelsea are also in the mix, although a move for the star midfielder would see the Blues move away from their transfer policy of buying players under a certain age.
Those two Premier League sides are part of a four-way battle for the 27-year-old Barcelona star, with Bayern Munich and PSG also in the mix. Any move will depend on the player and his decision on whether to extend his deal in Catalonia.
Barcelona keen to extend De Jong’s deal
Barcelona are wary of letting De Jong enter the final year of his deal, which would severely limit their hopes of maximising his market value.
Had they received a large enough offer, the Catalans would have probably sold the midfielder, as they would have been open to taking his wages off their books, with the Dutchman considered one of the highest earners at the club.
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