Frenkie de Jong's Premier League "regret" with fresh chance to make amends

Manchester City have been linked with a transfer move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong next summer.

The Dutch international has been one of the most consistent performers at the Catalan giants since his switch to the club from Ajax in the summer of 2019.

The Blaugrana's financial concerns have been well documented this year and de Jong is one of their most valued assets with a consistent level of performance in the middle of the pitch.

His current deal at the Camp Nou runs through to the summer of 2026 but Italian media outlet Calciomercato report that both City and Bayern Munich are monitoring his situation.

De Jong has bagged nine goals and provided 15 assists for Barca, for whom he has made over 100 appearances, having opted to join the club two years ago instead of City or Paris Saint-Germain.

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Frenkie de Jong joined Barca from Ajax in 2019 ( Image:

AFP/Getty Images)

De Jong admitted his regret in not joining the Premier League after completing his move to the Camp Nou, lamenting that there had been a power switch from Spanish football to the English top-flight in recent times.

De Jong said: "I used to think that La Liga was the strongest football league in the world. You could see their dominance in European Cup competitions.

"The Spanish clubs always progressed a long way and often grabbed the main trophies, the Champions League and Europa League

"But the Premier League has gained power over the last few years.

"When it comes to pure skills, La Liga is better. But because of the sheer intensity, the English competition is at a slightly higher level."

De Jong is primarily a central midfielder but his versatility has seen him play at the base of the midfield and even in the heart of defence when called upon.

He is known for his positioning and ability to find space in the middle of the pitch while retaining possession and appears to be a player in the ideal mould of Pep Guardiola.

Known for his vision, passing, dribbling, technique, along with strong defensive abilities and attacking prowess, he has developed into a leader at the Camp Nou since his 2019 switch.

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An extraordinary game-reader who often makes offensive runs through the middle, de Jong has endured a difficult spell at Barca due to their decline on and off the pitch.

Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann have been among the high-profile departures in the past year as the club turns to youth amid huge cost-cutting measures.

While the likes of Pedri, Ansu Fati and Gavi represent the new generation of talent, 24-year-old de Jong - who starred in Ajax's run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 - is arguably their most valuable player.