Pep Guardiola wants Barcelona ace to replace injured Rodri at Manchester City | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly set their sights on Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong as a solution to their current midfield dilemma.

According to Fichajes, the injury to key player Rodri has left Pep Guardiola’s team in need of a high-quality replacement. As a result, De Jong, known for his exceptional talent and ability to dictate the game, has emerged as an attractive option.

His versatility in the midfield and ability to adapt to various roles makes him a tempting target for Guardiola, especially in a time of urgency.

Barcelona do not want to sell De Jong

As it turns out, Barcelona have no intention of letting De Jong go, as Hansi Flick views the Dutchman as a crucial part of his plans for the immediate and long-term future.

With the team already facing several injuries this season, including key players like Dani Olmo and Marc Bernal, selling a key figure like De Jong is not in Barcelona’s plans.

Frenkie de Jong will not leave Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

His ability to maintain control in midfield and offer tactical flexibility makes him irreplaceable in their current structure.

Guardiola admires De Jong

Guardiola’s admiration for De Jong is not new. In previous seasons, Manchester City have attempted to sign him, though they were unsuccessful. Now, with Rodri out of action, there is renewed interest.

Despite this, any deal seems highly unlikely. Barcelona are firm in their stance, and Flick sees De Jong as essential not only for La Liga but also for their Champions League campaign.

The club cannot afford to lose such a vital player at this stage, especially with the squad already dealing with significant absences.

From Barcelona’s point of view, losing De Jong would weaken their midfield substantially, which they cannot afford during such a challenging season.

Even though Manchester City might approach with a tempting offer, it would have to be extraordinary for Barcelona to reconsider their firm position on the matter.