Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong is on Arsenals’ transfer radar, according to Friday’s edition of Sport.
The Netherlands international has featured regularly since overcoming the ankle injury at the start of this season. He made 28 appearances and has less than 18 months left on his contract.
Arsenal are one of the clubs looking at the 28-year-old for the summer window.
Sport mentions the Gunners when covering the midfielder’s contract situation at the Camp Nou.
The Netherlands international is now a starter under Hansi Flick, ahead of Marc Casadó, and is an important player for both the manager and the club.
Therefore, Barca sporting director Deco met with De Jong’s agent Ali Dursun on February 19th and made a new renewal offer. The proposal includes a three-year contract with the current salary of €18-19m gross per year.
Barcelona’s intention is to not let the former Ajax man enter into his final year of contract and they expect a response from him in the coming weeks.
The Spanish giants are aware that the player’s agent has ‘received important proposals from the Premier League’.
Sport immediately mention Arsenal as they have ‘shown interest’ and are the only club from England to be named.
The Catalan club have already taken action by offering him an extension, to block his exit.
The newspaper says De Jong knows he has the confidence of the manager, and his family are comfortable in Barcelona. He and his family want to continue living in Catalonia.
This makes the Blaugrana optimistic of extending his contract, while it makes it difficult for Arsenal to sign De Jong.