Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has emerged as a top midfield target for Liverpool this summer. The Dutch midfielder’s contractual situation with Blaugrana has been a topic of discussion in recent years, with his current deal expiring in 2026.
The Reds could be gearing up for a massive summer as a handful of star names have been linked with moves away from Anfield. The futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk continue to draw wide attention, with their contracts expiring at the end of the season.
As per El Nacional, Liverpool have De Jong on their transfer radar. Although De Jong has reiterated his desire to continue playing at Barcelona, his reluctance to sign a new deal with the club has fueled speculation that he could look to leave as a free agent when his contract expires in a little more than a year.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are said to be keeping a close eye on De Jong’s situation at Barcelona, who are open to selling him this summer for €40 million.
Would Frenkie De Jong be a good addition to Liverpool?
Since arriving in 2019, De Jong’s time at Barcelona has been labeled a mixed bag, with many feeling the Netherlands international hasn’t fully lived up to expectations.
Injury woes and constant managerial changes at Barcelona have contributed to his inconsistency, although De Jong has showcased his best form on numerous occasions.
However, De Jong is experiencing his best spell at the moment under Hansi Flick. Since returning from injury, the deep-lying midfielder has made sparkling cameos that have been instrumental in Blaugrana’s recent victories.
Liverpool’s midfield options are stacked at the moment. The trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister have made the case for one of the best midfield units in Europe this season, playing a pivotal role in the Reds’ dominance across all competitions.
If you know anything about football, this clip tells you all you need to know about Frenkie De Jong.
Defensive monster-in-waiting, transition stopper/starter, incredible associative play, monster carrier and killer passer. pic.twitter.com/uVkgxLbzXx
— AI (@nonewthing) February 10, 2024
Gravenberch’s transformation, in particular, has been a key highlight this season. From being dubbed a transfer flop to becoming the midfield engine under Slot, Gravenberch has enjoyed a meteoric rise.
In addition, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo have proved to be reliable backup options, showcasing their potential whenever provided with opportunities.
Considering all this, De Jong looks surplus to requirements, and Liverpool could instead focus on signing cost-effective midfield backups.
Moreover, a player of De Jong’s stature would always want to be a regular starter, which isn’t a given due to Liverpool’s current crop of midfield options.
