Man City prepare to launch £95m bid for Man Utd target after leaving Rice to Arsenal | OneFootball

Frenkie de Jong has been linked with Man City.

Man City are preparing to make a huge offer for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong after missing out on Declan Rice, according to reports.

The Citizens made a bid of £80m plus £10m in add-ons for West Ham midfielder Rice but eventually pulled out the deal when Arsenal made a £105m offer to sign the England international

City’s half-arsed entry into the Rice saga was always designed to fail but it comes as a huge compliment to the Gunners and their progress under Mikel Arteta.

There’s speculation that Kalvin Phillips could leave Man City after just one season at the Etihad Stadium despite the former Leeds midfielder saying he wants to stay.

And Spanish publication Fichajes claims that Barcelona midfielder De Jong ‘is once again the object of desire for Manchester City’ after months of speculation that he could join rivals Man Utd last summer.

With Barcelona still struggling financially, the Catalan giants see De Jong as the player who they could get the ‘most economic benefit’ from this summer.

And the ‘latest information’ that Fichajes have insists that Man City are ‘willing to offer almost €110m (£95m)’ for the Netherlands international.

The report describes it as ‘a personal request from Pep Guardiola’ with Ilkay Gundogan leaving for Barcelona and reportedly losing out on both Rice or Jude Bellingham.

De Jong has ‘dropped his desire to continue at Barcelona on more than one occasion’ and Guardiola could make ‘the most of the midfielder’s potential’.

There have been rumours this summer that Man Utd could be ready to make their move for De Jong – who played brilliantly under Erik ten Hag at Ajax – but his huge price tag would probably be an issue.

Teddy Sheringham fired a warning to the Premier League side a year ago with the former Man Utd striker unsure whether De Jong would be able to hack the “battle” in England.

Speaking a year ago, Sheringham said: “Where is he going to find these players? I’m seeing the rumours about Frenkie de Jong. He hasn’t played in the Premier League and has been playing for Barcelona, who are expected to pretty much beat nearly every other team.

“Many of Barca’s domestic opponents roll over for them throughout the season. That doesn’t happen in the Premier League – every game is a battle.

“The pace and quality of the league could be a shock to the system for Ten Hag. And for a player like de Jong. United could have a season of absolute chaos again next year.”