Hansi Flick is aware that Frenkie de Jong could soon leave Barcelona. The player is currently unwilling to extend his contract, which runs until 2026, leading the club to contemplate selling him.
Recently, speculation has intensified about a potential transfer to Manchester City in January, where he would replace Rodrigo Hernández, who is out for the season due to a severe knee injury. According to El Nacional, Pep Guardiola sees De Jong as a suitable alternative, and Txiki Begiristain plans to begin discussions with Joan Laporta and Deco to facilitate a deal.
At Camp Nou, preparations are underway for De Jong’s possible exit, with the hope of securing substantial financial compensation to ease his hefty salary, the highest in the squad. The report also mentioned that if De Jong departs, Flick aims to sign a new midfielder, specifically showing interest in Ederson dos Santos from Atalanta.
Ederson is recognized as one of the top players in his position in Serie A and had an outstanding season. He played a crucial role in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph, notably being part of the only team to defeat the formidable Bayer Leverkusen, coached by Xabi Alonso.
The player is known for his selflessness, ball recovery skills, and ability to organize play. At just 25 years old, he is still considered young, and Flick strongly supports the idea of this transfer for Barcelona, especially if they can successfully sell De Jong.
The expected transfer fee is around 40 million euros, which is half of the amount Laporta and Deco hope to receive from De Jong’s sale.