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Barcelona heading for €77m disaster in De Jong farce

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong situation has been a shambles from the beginning, but it is now becoming apparent just how badly the Catalan side have messed it up with the Dutchman.

All the power in the relationship is in the hands of the Netherlands star, and try as they might to move him on, the prospect of a summer transfer seems slim.

FootballTransfers has already debunked reports from Spain that indicated that De Jong has asked to leave the club – a source close to the situation described these frankly as “bulls***” – and yet the former Ajax player is a weight that Barca cannot carry.

Over the remaining two years of his contract, Barcelona will pay €77m for De Jong between unpaid transfer fees and his salary, RAC1 reports. For a club that is beset by financial difficulties, this is an astronomical figure.

Indeed, the report goes on to indicate that he is expected to renew his contract or leave. What is often left out is that Barca want De Jong to sign for a pittance compared to his current deal.

And even if Barcelona do somehow get De Jong to leave at this juncture, the fee they can demand for him is liable to be lower than they could have extracted from Manchester United 18 months ago, when the Red Devils chased the player relentlessly for a summer before splashing out more than €70 million on the ageing Casemiro.

The Catalans are reportedly pegging their price for De Jong against Chelsea’s deals for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, worth €115m and €121m respectively.

The transfer market is not in a period of such excess, though. January 2024, when Lyon were the top spending club in the world, is evidence of a time of recession in transfer fees.

Despite this, Barcelona want at least €100m for a player who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €50m.

Financial Fair Play (FFP), as Barcelona are only too aware, has never been such an important consideration. Chelsea, Man Utd and to a lesser extent Arsenal, who are the leading three contenders for De Jong, are all clubs set to be impacted in 2024.

Chelsea have already signed their two marquee midfielders, Arsenal did so last year with their big-money move for Declan Rice, while Man Utd have multiple summer priorities and under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS are unlikely to throw around the type of silly money they once might have.

The Saudi Pro League may yet buck the trend, but good luck getting De Jong to accept a deal there if he has no interest in moving to one of Europe’s historic giants.

The idea that someone might pay €100m for Frenkie this summer is fanciful.

Tottenham have emerged as a viable alternative, but Gerard Romero reports that Spurs are only willing to pay €60m – less than Barca’s initial investment in the player.

And still there is the issue of whether De Jong would accept a contract with a team so famously incapable of winning trophies.

With De Jong content with his lot at Camp Nou, Barcelona have no easy solution to the problem he is causing them. They have well and truly got their timing wrong in this case.

 

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Transfers

Czech Giants Slavia Praha Sign David Moses Until 2029

Czech Giants Slavia Praha Sign David Moses Until 2029

Twenty-year-old Nigerian midfielder David Moses has signed a contract with top club Slavia Praha from another Czech club MFK Karviná.

Slavia Praha announced Moses has signed a contract until December 31, 2029.

“David is an extremely interesting player, proven in the Czech league, many clubs were interested in him, not only from the Czech Republic,” said sports director Jiri Bilek.

“We believe that he will fit perfectly into our playing style. This is a great promise for the future.”.

The player himself was equally excited about the new challenge.

“It’s a big step for me, a big challenge. I’m going to the best team in the Czech Republic,” he said.

“I want to make a name for myself, help the club. I haven’t played in Eden (Slavia home ground) yet, but I’ve heard a lot about the fans. I’m looking forward to playing in front of them.”

Moses joined the Karviná academy in March 2022, played his first ever competitive match for the A-team against Slavia in the round of 16 of the domestic cup, and the team won 2-0 on November 18 with goals from Olayinka and Lingro.

Karviná returned to the top flight at the end of the season after a one-year second-league hiatus, four points ahead of second-placed Vyškov.

The 171-centimeter-tall central midfielder made his league debut for MFK on July 22, 2023 in the first round against Zlín. In the 2023/24 season, he played in 25 matches and helped Karviná survive in the top flight after successfully managing the play-off against Vyškov.

He played 13 matches this season and helped his club reach eleventh place in the table.

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Transfers

The Two Midfield Stars Who Are At The Top Of Real Madrid’s Transfer Wishlist – Report

The Two Midfield Stars Who Are At The Top Of Real Madrid’s Transfer Wishlist – Report

Real Madrid are currently focusing their efforts on two key midfield targets: Florian Wirtz and Franco Mastantuono, claims a report from Daniel Peinado in AS.

The journalist suggests that while other potential options like Joshua Kimmich and Martin Zubimendi have been mentioned, Wirtz remains the primary target, with the club also keeping a close eye on Mastantuono.

The situation with Wirtz has become more complex in recent weeks. After months of speculation about a potential move from Bayer Leverkusen, it now seems that the German is set to remain with the Bundesliga club for the foreseeable future.

Wirtz’s signing is difficult
Recent reports suggest that Wirtz will sign a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen, extending his stay at the club until at least the summer of 2028.

Despite this, Real Madrid are not giving up on their pursuit of the talented midfielder. He is still seen as a top priority, and his situation will likely be closely monitored by the club.

At the same time, Bayern Munich and Manchester City also remain interested in securing his services, making the competition fierce for Wirtz.

What about Mastantuono?

On the other hand, Mastantuono, the River Plate star, is one of the most highly sought-after young talents in football.

Real Madrid are not the only club tracking his progress; rivals Barcelona, as well as top European sides like Liverpool and AC Milan, are all keen on the Argentine midfielder.

While Madrid have been keeping a close watch on Mastantuono, they have yet to make a formal move. This cautious approach suggests that the club may be waiting for the right moment to act, allowing them more time to assess the player’s development.

In conclusion, Real Madrid’s midfield targets for the near future remain Wirtz and Mastantuono. Although Wirtz’s move seems less likely in the short term, Madrid continue to keep him on their radar.

As for Mastantuono, he remains one of the hottest young prospects in world football, and it seems only a matter of time before one of Europe’s giants makes their move for him.

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Transfers

Liverpool And PSG Lead The Race To Sign Lyon’s Rayan Cherki

Liverpool And PSG Lead The Race To Sign Lyon’s Rayan Cherki

According to a report from Foot Mercato, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are both leading in the race to sign Olympique Lyonnais’ Rayan Cherki (21).

The France youth international was ostracised at the start of the season amid a contract standoff. His contract had been set to expire at the end of the season, however, ultimately, he extended by a further year, allowing his re-integration. He has since gone on to net five goals and register seven assists in 17 matches. Since breaking through as a teenager, this is his first consistent patch of form.

However, the Frenchman may leave the club in January. Whilst OL are reportedly keen to retain Cherki, they may have little choice in the matter. Lyon are being forced to raise funds this January following a provisional relegation to Ligue 2. Selling assets, such as Cherki, will prevent that fate, even if other, more peripheral figures have been touted for departures.

Whilst Cherki is reportedly keen to see out the season with his formative club, the matter will be taken out of his hands should a club meet OL’s €30m price tag. As per Foot Mercato, Liverpool and PSG are most keen to recruit the attacker in January although Get French Football News understands that Les Parisiens will not return for Cherki, having been snubbed by the player in the summer.

 

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