Bayern Munich could seal a cut-price deal for Frenkie de Jong this summer with Barcelona needing to balance their accounts before the end of June.
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Bayern could move for de JongBarca need to raise fundsInterested in signing him beforeWHAT HAPPENED?
According to Spanish publication , Bayern could reignite thier interest in De Jong this summer, with the Dutch midfielder possibly available for as little as €60 million (£52m/$64m), or a maximum of €70m (£60m/$75m). Barca are in desperate need of funds, with €100 million (£86m/$107m) supposedly required to balance the books by the end of June. Selling the 27-year-old would also see the wage bill significantly reduced as he is one of their very top earners.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
De Jong is very comfortable in Barcelona, settled in the city and relishing playing for his dream club. However, midfield is arguably Los Cules' strongest area, with Pedri and Gavi among others, and he may be forced to finally leave if Bayern stump up the required fee. He has previously rubbished reports of an exit.
DID YOU KNOW?
The closest De Jong came to leave Catalonia was two summers ago when Manchester United and his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag spent months trying to persuade the player to move. He would not budge, especially with Barca owing him unpaid wages, and was a key player in their La Liga success last season.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR DE JONG, BARCELONA & BAYERN?
Barring a miraculous league recovery, Barca will hand their Spanish league crown over to their greatest rivals, Real Madrid, in the coming weeks. Bayern have already seen their 11-year monopoly of the Bundesliga end but face Real in the Champions League semi-finals. De Jong himself is set to be a big part of the Netherlands' team at the European Championship this summer, as they look to repeat their 1988 success on German soil.