Spanish news outlet, Sport confirms the Camp Nou is the place De Jong wants to move to next summer despite stating earlier that he preferred to play under Pep Guardiola.
The 21-year-old’s agent has reportedly notified the other interested clubs regarding the player’s wishes. It is understood that Barcelona will have to shell out £66m for the Ajax starlet and will only acquire him permanently after the current season comes to an end.
Officials from Camp Nou will soon travel to Amsterdam to finalise the deal. The Blaugrana reportedly will pay out the entire sum of the transfer in three instalments.
Ernesto Valverde has also been successful in bringing in Jeison Murrillo and Kevin Prince-Boateng this January. Hopefully, De Jong will fare better than some of the midfield signings Barcelona have made over the past few seasons.
While Paulinho became a one-season hit and Arthur has carved a regular spot next to Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets, players like Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes have found it difficult to the Blaugrana atmosphere.
De Jong operates as a defensive midfielder and he is pegged to succeed into the shoes of Barcelona’s mastermind, Busquets. The Spaniard is 30 now but still an integral part of the club and for his country as well.
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