Frenkie de Jong to Arsenal latest as Barcelona reportedly want £50m for Dutchman

We are now over halfway through the January transfer window and Arsenal are yet to make a first-team signing

The Gunners are currently fifth in the Premier League table as they look to end their five-year UEFA Champions League hiatus.

And technical director Edu may think that dipping into the market could help Mikel Arteta’s side qualify for the coveted prestigious European competition, with the Spaniard clearly in need of a midfielder.

One name that has previously been linked with a move to north London is Barcelona playmaker, Frenkie de Jong, with the Dutch international even admitting himself he admires the Gunners.

Now, football.london has rounded up all the speculation regarding de Jong’s future at the Camp Nou.

Price tag revealed

According to Spanish outlet El Nacional, Barcelona value de Jong at £50million and could even accept an offer of £41million considering their ongoing financial struggles.

However, the report also states that Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea are chasing his signature and have seen an opening offer of £33m rejected by the Blaugrana.

Arsenal admission

De Jong himself has previously made it no secret of his admiration for the Gunners, claiming that he saw himself joining the north Londoners after sealing a move to Barcelona back in the summer of 2019.

“I actually thought Arsenal was pretty beautiful in the past,” he told Voetbal International, as per Sky Sports. “In my mind, I have had the following list for a long time: Ajax-Arsenal-Barcelona, call it the Marc Overmars route.

“But yes, if you can go directly to Barcelona, then you are also right where you want to be. Faster than you ever dared to dream.”

Barcelona stance

Back in November, the Spanish outlet El Chiringuito reported that the Catalan club are open to selling de Jong if the price is right, with new head coach Xavi reportedly keen to raise funds given Barca’s difficult financial situation.

However, the 24-year-old has established himself as one of Europe’s most consistent midfielders in recent years and would likely cost a fortune, with Transfermarkt even valuing him at £81million.

Campbell’s verdict

Former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has urged his old club to target the former Ajax star, claiming that de Jong would be the perfect partner for Thomas Partey in the heart of Arteta’s midfield.

“I would like De Jong if you don’t mind. I would love to see him at Arsenal,” Campbell told Football Insider when asked about a potential swap deal involving Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and a Barcelona player.

“I cannot see them moving him on because he has been phenomenal for them, he really has. He is the one player who really fit into Mikel Arteta’s squad. He would fit in effortlessly. I think he’d be brilliant beside Thomas Partey.

“Would they want to do that deal? Barca want another striker now [Sergio] Aguero has retired. There is room for Aubameyang.

“Listen, at the end of the day, if they want to do business and Aubameyang wants to go – do the business. Create some room on that wage bill.”