Arsenal are reportedly preparing to rival Liverpool and Manchester City in the race to sign Frenkie de Jong, as Barcelona consider offloading the Dutch midfielder due to financial pressure and stalled contract talks.
With just one year left on his current deal by summer 2025, De Jong’s future at Camp Nou is no longer guaranteed — and the Premier League’s elite are circling.
Barcelona’s stance: Renewal or sale?
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Barcelona’s financial instability continues to affect squad planning. While Frenkie de Jong has been part of their long-term vision since joining from Ajax in 2019, the club’s inability to secure a contract extension at reduced wages may force them into a sale.
De Jong has had a mixed campaign, battling injury early in the season and struggling for consistent La Liga minutes under Hansi Flick. Despite becoming a regular starter in cup competitions and regaining form, Barça are reportedly open to listening to offers if renewal talks don’t progress.
A departure this summer could help the Catalan club balance their books — and they won’t be short of suitors.
Arsenal’s pitch: Composure and control in midfield
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Mikel Arteta is said to be a strong admirer of De Jong’s tactical intelligence and ball progression. Arsenal believe the 26-year-old could form a dominant midfield trio alongside Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard — bringing added composure in possession and verticality in transitions.
The Gunners are preparing for a busy summer window, with midfield depth a clear focus. With Jorginho nearing the twilight of his career and doubts around Thomas Partey’s future, De Jong is viewed as a potential key piece in Arsenal’s title-challenging puzzle.
Liverpool and City remain firmly in the race
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New Liverpool boss Arne Slot is pushing for midfield reinforcements as he looks to stamp his identity on the Reds’ evolving squad. Frenkie de Jong — a Dutch international with Champions League pedigree — fits the profile perfectly.
Slot is reportedly excited by the idea of pairing De Jong with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to create a more technically controlled midfield setup.
Manchester City, meanwhile, have quietly made De Jong a top target as Pep Guardiola prepares for potential midfield departures. With Ilkay Gündogan gone and question marks over Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term physical reliability, Guardiola views De Jong as a player capable of sharing the creative and control burden with Rodri in a double pivot — both domestically and in Europe.
Conclusion
With Barcelona stalling on a renewal, De Jong’s contract status opens a rare window of opportunity for the Premier League’s top clubs. Arsenal, Liverpool, and City all see him as a transformative presence in midfield — and while the Dutchman remains happy in Spain, a move could be on the horizon.
The transfer saga is just beginning — and it may come down to project clarity, tactical fit, and who moves first.
