According to reports, Arsenal is considering signing Barcelona player Frenkie de Jong this summer as they look to overhaul their midfield.
The north Londoners have so far been successful in their pursuits in the transfer market, having signed Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz, who are all awaiting formal announcement.
The main obstacle to Mikel Arteta’s pursuit of Manchester City is the need to blend a number of quality faces with the talent already on display at the Emirates, but Arsenal’s potential acquisition of De Jong would be a statement of purpose.
What is Frenkie de Jong worth today?
Following the revelation of the club’s financial difficulties and the obligation to sell players, Frenkie de Jong’s future has been a difficult path for Barcelona.
According to information shared by Arsenal trade specialist Dobbo through Twitter, the Gunners have a “genuine” interest in the Dutchman, but a move would be “tough” for the Premier League team to complete.
If rumours are to be believed, the player, who is valued at £37 million, has also spoken with the club’s agents.
De Jong and Ansu Fati may be fired, according to a GOAL story from earlier this year, in order to free up Camp Nou’s pay budget. According to the rumour, a €200 million cut is necessary to comply with La Liga standards.
Frenkie de Jong’s skill level.
The 26-year-old, who has been hailed as a “maestro” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe thanks to his exploits in both the Eredivisie and La Liga.
De Jong, who cost the Catalan powerhouses £65 million to sign in 2019, has shown his versatility by excelling in both front and back of the midfield throughout his career.
The Dutchman, who will predominantly play as a deep midfielder for Arsenal, may be a revelation, especially with Granit Xhaka out injured.
The Swiss left north London earlier this week in order to join Bayer Leverkusen, leaving a spot in Arteta’s midfield unfilled by a player with a known passing prowess.
One player who excelled while partnering with Xhaka in midfield was captain Martin Odegaard, who may find the ideal partner in De Jong should he decide to move to the Emirates this summer.
The Arkel-born wonder, who has a solid passing distribution, ranks in the top 3% of midfielders in the top five leagues in Europe in terms of his passing prowess over the previous season.
The 26-year-old’s participation in the game in centre midfield was highlighted by his pass completion percentage of 89.5% per 90 and remarkable 78.96 passes attempted per 90, according to FBref.
Odegaard’s ability to keep things organised in the engine room is commendable, but his distribution moving forward may make him the ideal technician to improve his own game in the final third.
According to FBref, last season De Jong averaged a staggering 9.91 progressive passes per 90 in La Liga, including 8.88 passes towards the final third and 1.60 critical passes per 90.
Such assets might improve the Norwegian’s performance in a more advanced central position as a high-scoring midfielder, where he averaged 5.55 progressive passes for every 90, and put them to good use with his 22 goals and assists in the Premier League the previous season.
The Arsenal captain could increase his playmaking and menace in the final third with a capable ball player behind him, providing Arteta more ammunition in the team’s attempt to once again contend for the crown.
