Manchester City have made a definitive decision to withdraw from the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to reports from Spain.
Injury fears force Manchester City to abandon Frenkie de Jong deal
The Premier League champions had identified the Dutch international as a prime target during their summer recruitment drive, but have now opted against pursuing a deal for the 27-year-old.
Spanish publication Sport reports that City’s hierarchy had given serious consideration to launching a formal bid for De Jong, but ultimately pulled the plug on the move.
The decisive factor behind this U-turn appears to be the midfielder’s recent injury setback, which has raised concerns among the Etihad decision-makers.
The Sky Blues entered the transfer window with a clear mandate to strengthen their midfield options following the departures of Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Tijjani Reijnders.
New manager Enzo Maresca has been actively involved in shaping his squad for the upcoming campaign, with De Jong’s name featuring prominently on his wishlist.
Rather than pursuing the former Ajax star, Manchester City have redirected their resources elsewhere.
The club has already completed significant business by securing the signings of Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi to bolster Maresca’s midfield ranks.
Furthermore, the Citizens continue to explore other high-profile options, with a substantial offer for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández still very much on the table.
This aggressive approach in the transfer market suggests the club remains committed to strengthening despite walking away from the De Jong deal.
Perhaps most significantly, City have communicated that they have no intention of revisiting their interest in De Jong before the summer window closes.
This firm stance effectively ends any speculation about a potential Premier League move for the Barcelona star in the immediate future.
The decision represents a significant shift in City’s transfer strategy, with the club opting for younger alternatives rather than pursuing the experienced Dutch international.
De Jong, who has been a mainstay at the Camp Nou since his move from Ajax in 2019, will now remain in Catalonia as Barcelona continue to rebuild under their own new management structure.
