Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is set to reignite his interest in Ajax’s midfield star Frenkie de Jong in the next transfer market, therefore, competing with his derby rival José Mourinho for the player’s signature.
It was believed that Mourinho has shown his desire to lure the player to the Theater of Dreams in January but the Portuguese now face intense competition from Guardiola.
According to Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror, the Citizens – who saw their £50m bid for the youngster rejected during the summer transfer window – are set to make a much-improved offer to the Eredivisie when the January transfer market reopens.
The same report suggested that Guardiola is in a desperate mood to capture the Dutchman’s signature as soon as possible so as to avoid losing him to other suitors, just as he missed out on Jorginho’s services to Chelsea.
De Jong was equally linked with a move to Barcelona during the summer window but the Catalans couldn’t convince the Dutch side to release the 21-year-old before the end of the transaction period.
The Eredivisie giants are reportedly adamant to let go of the young midfield maestro in January but they might rescind their decision as long as suitors make an eye-catching offer.