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The treble winners made a £90million bid for the West Ham United skipper at the start of the week but walked away from negotiations after Arsenal upped their offer to £100million plus £5m in add-ons.
Rice is now expected to seal his move to north London next week but City remain keen on bringing in a new midfielder following Ilkay Gundogan’s decision to leave at the end of his contract, having since joined Barcelona.
De Jong is coming off the back of a fine season at the Camp Nou having opted to remain at the club despite persistent interest from Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last summer.
The Dutchman made the 26-year-old his top transfer target shortly after his arrival at Old Trafford but de Jong remained determined to stay at Barcelona throughout a prolonged transfer saga.
The Sun now report Pep Guardiola is keen to bring the Netherlands international to the blue half of Manchester.
The City boss initially tried to sign de Jong in 2019 after his stunning campaign with Ajax, missing out as the midfielder joined Barca.
Guardiola is aware Barcelona chiefs are open to a sale as part of the club’s continued financial difficulties. However, the Spanish champions would expect City to match the £90m offer they were prepared to put down for Rice.
De Jong has remained on United’s wish list although the club appear to have moved onto other targets with a deal for Chelsea star Mason Mount agreed this week.
In June, the Dutchman spoke out to pour cold water on talk of another summer of speculation.
Asked by Voetbal International if leaving is not an option this season, De Jong said: ‘That has been clear to me, also last summer when things were restless for a while.
‘I always knew that I wanted to stay at Barcelona, that’s why it wasn’t so stressful for me last summer.
‘Also, I had just signed a contract extension [in 2020] so I always felt that I was in control and able to decide for myself.
‘That’s why I didn’t bother [worrying about it]. I feel good at Barcelona and assume that I will still be playing here next season.’
MORE : Man City pulled out of the race to sign Arsenal transfer target Declan Rice – here’s why
MORE : Declan Rice left ‘stunned’ by Mikel Arteta’s side after Arsenal beat West Ham
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