The former City midfield powerhouse believes the Dutch international would be a far better investment and has even claimed that Barcelona could be willing to sanction a sale if the right offer arrives. 😳💰
Touré’s comments have immediately caught the attention of fans, especially given the long-standing links between De Jong and several Premier League clubs over the years.
According to the Ivorian icon, Manchester City should use their strong relationship with Barcelona to explore the possibility of bringing the Dutch midfielder to the Etihad rather than committing a huge fee to Chelsea star Enzo Fernández. 🔵👀
🗣️ “If Manchester City are smart, they shouldn’t spend €120 million on Enzo Fernández. They should take advantage of their good relationship with Barcelona and ask about Frenkie de Jong instead.”
The statement is guaranteed to divide opinion.
Enzo Fernández remains one of the Premier League’s most highly-rated midfielders and has established himself as a key figure for Chelsea since his record-breaking move from Benfica. The Argentine World Cup winner possesses elite passing ability, technical quality and leadership skills that have made him one of Europe’s most sought-after midfielders. 🇦🇷🏆
However, Touré believes De Jong offers even more.
The former Barcelona midfielder praised the Dutch star’s overall game, claiming he surpasses Enzo across multiple aspects of midfield play.
🗣️ “He should be ready to return within the next few months after his surgery, and for me, he is better than Enzo in every metric.”
That is a bold claim considering both players are regarded among the finest midfielders in world football. Yet Touré clearly feels De Jong’s intelligence, press resistance, ball progression and tactical versatility would make him a perfect fit for Guardiola’s system. ⚡🔥
De Jong has been one of Barcelona’s most important players in recent years. Since arriving from Ajax, the Dutchman has become renowned for his ability to glide past opponents, dictate possession and control the tempo of matches from deep midfield positions. His composure under pressure has often made him one of the first names on the Barcelona team sheet. 🇳🇱🔴🔵
Still, speculation surrounding his future refuses to disappear.
Barcelona have repeatedly faced financial challenges, leading to constant rumours about potential player sales. Over the last few transfer windows, De Jong has been linked with several European giants, including Manchester United, Bayern Munich and clubs from the Saudi Pro League. 💸👀
Touré added another fascinating twist to the discussion by suggesting that Barcelona could be open to negotiating if a substantial offer arrives.
🗣️ “I think Barça would happily sell De Jong for around €90-95 million.”
Such a fee would represent a significant investment but still considerably less than the reported valuation attached to Enzo Fernández. For Manchester City, that difference could be enough to make De Jong a more attractive option from a financial perspective. 💰🔥
However, one part of Touré’s comments is likely to generate debate among Barcelona supporters.
The City legend suggested that De Jong is now surplus to requirements at Camp Nou.
🗣️ “De Jong is currently surplus to requirements at Barcelona, so City should take advantage of the situation.”
That assessment may not align with how Barcelona view the Dutch midfielder internally. Despite the transfer speculation, De Jong has continued to feature prominently whenever fit and remains highly respected within the squad. Many supporters still regard him as one of the club’s most technically gifted players and a crucial figure for the future. 🔴🔵
From Manchester City’s perspective, the idea is certainly intriguing.
Imagine a midfield containing Rodri’s defensive dominance alongside De Jong’s elegance in possession and ability to drive through opposition lines. The Dutchman would undoubtedly suit Guardiola’s possession-based philosophy and could add another layer of control to an already formidable team. 😮⚽
Whether City decide to act on Touré’s advice remains to be seen. For now, Enzo Fernández remains an important player at Chelsea, while De Jong continues his recovery and focuses on returning to full fitness at Barcelona.
Yet one thing is certain: whenever a Manchester City legend publicly recommends a transfer involving one of Barcelona’s biggest stars, the football world pays attention. 🚨🔥💙❤️
