PSG keen on signing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona to bolster midfield options

Defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are keen to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona. The Parisians are undergoing a transitional phase and are looking to secure their future with marquee additions.

This is as per reports from Spanish outlet Diario SPORT, who have added that the Parisians are hoping to get a deal done for €60 million.

Earlier this week, PSG were informed that superstar Kylian Mbappe will not extend his contract with the club beyond June 2024. With Real Madrid lurking since months, it is quite possible Mbappe will be on the move out.

The Parisians currently find themselves first in Ligue 1 by a country-mile. They have 53 points from 22 games and are a whopping 13 clear of second-placed Brest. This has allowed the club hierarchy to zoom out and make plans for next season. It also allows them to focus on the Champions League.

PSG’s midfield is currently manned by Manuel Ugarte as the holding midfielder, with Marco Asensio on the left and Vitinha on the right. They need a ball progressor who can also play line-breaking passes. Here is where Frenkie de Jong could be the perfect fit.

The Dutchman is adept with playing almost a box-to-box role, with lesser defensive responsibilities than usual. He has a great engine and can distribute the ball to all areas of the pitch with both feet. Frenkie de Jong can also score a goal or two when needed with his late runs and is a crucial asset.

De Jong joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2019 and has made 207 appearances for the club across competitions. In those games, he has scored 16 goals and bagged 21 assists. This season, the midfielder has played 24 games across competitions, scoring just one goal so far.

Considering Barca manager Xavi Hernandez, too, is leaving at the end of the season, Frenkie de Jong could be tempted by a move as well. It could be the right time, aged 26, to move to pastures anew.

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