Manchester City ask about Frenkie de Jong — but want answers about his knee first

Manchester City sold Rodri to Barcelona and may now return to Catalonia for his potential replacement. According to El Chiringuito journalist José Álvarez, the English club have asked about Frenkie de Jong. Before discussing a transfer fee, however, City want a clear picture of the Dutchman’s right knee.

Álvarez reports that City are gathering information and would like to sign the midfielder before the transfer window closes. There is currently no confirmation of an official offer being submitted to Barcelona, while De Jong’s position on a possible departure remains unknown.

The timing makes the story particularly unusual. De Jong is still unavailable after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during the World Cup. Further examinations following his return to Barcelona showed that the injury was more serious than initially believed.

The player and the club opted for conservative treatment rather than immediate surgery. Barcelona have not announced a return date and continue to monitor his recovery. That medical situation is reportedly the first issue City want to examine before deciding whether to proceed.

That is understandable. Signing an injured midfielder requires more than watching a compilation of his best carries from the Ajax years. City need to know whether De Jong’s knee can withstand a return to elite competition without another lengthy interruption. A formal proposal may only follow once those doubts have been addressed.

The sequence of events also carries a suitably Barcelona flavour. The Catalans signed Rodri partly because De Jong’s recovery could not be guaranteed. Now City, having lost Rodri to Barcelona, are considering taking De Jong in the opposite direction. It resembles a midfield exchange, except nobody appears to have agreed that an exchange is taking place.

De Jong remains under contract until June 2029. When he signed his extension in October 2025, he spoke about wanting to remain at Barcelona for many more years. The club also described him as an important part of Hansi Flick’s project. Neither Barcelona nor the player has responded to the latest report.

For now, the story remains at an early stage. Manchester City have reportedly asked about De Jong and his medical condition, but no bid has been confirmed. First the knee, then the negotiations. At Barcelona, the medical examination may prove to be the most concrete part of the entire operation.

Sources: El Chiringuito via Madrid-Barcelona – Manchester City’s reported interest · FC Barcelona – official De Jong injury update · FC Barcelona – De Jong’s contract extension until 2029