Frenkie de Jong has already named his dream Premier League move amid Liverpool swap deal rumours
Frenkie de Jong has revealed his ideal club amid speculation linking him to Manchester United and Liverpool this summer.
The Barcelona midfielder, currently one of the top earners in La Liga, is rumored to be part of a potential swap deal involving Liverpool.
Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra reports that Barcelona might be interested in Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, though this has been downplayed by English media.
If Barcelona pursues this deal, De Jong could be included in the exchange. He has previously mentioned his interest in joining a Premier League club before moving to Barcelona from Ajax in 2019, and it was not Liverpool.
De Jong has expressed that he grew up following Arsenal, admiring players like Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp. He was inspired by what he calls ‘the Marc Overmars route’—moving from Ajax to Arsenal and then to Barcelona—and has also spoken highly of former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.
In an interview with Dutch outlet Voetbal International, he said: “I’ve had a set path in mind for a long time: Ajax-Arsenal-Barcelona. I always thought Arsenal was quite special in the past. But if you can go straight to Barcelona, that’s where you want to be.”
He continued, “The football played by Barcelona, the players who have been here, like Xavi, Iniesta, and Busquets, were impressive. Lionel Messi, my idol, and the Camp Nou stadium add to why many young players choose Barcelona or Real Madrid as their top choice.”
Although Arsenal is better positioned to attract top talent like De Jong now, they are not currently seeking more midfielders. Thus, a move to Liverpool might be more feasible, assuming De Jong considers leaving Barcelona if an agreement is reached.Frenkie de Jong has indeed revealed his admiration for Arsenal, which he followed during his youth, particularly influenced by players like Marc Overmars and Dennis Bergkamp. His comments underscore a longstanding connection to the club, mentioning that he envisioned a career path moving from Ajax to Arsenal and eventually to Barcelona, following what he refers to as “the Marc Overmars route.”
Despite speculation linking him to Manchester United and Liverpool, De Jong’s statements suggest a strong preference for Barcelona, where he currently plays. Although there are rumors of a potential swap deal involving Liverpool’s Luis Díaz, this has been downplayed by English media, and Arsenal, while a club he admires, is not currently in the market for midfielders, making a move there unlikely.
As for a potential move to Liverpool or Manchester United, it’s clear that De Jong’s priority has always been to play for Barcelona, and any consideration of a move would likely be influenced by his attachment to the Spanish club and his career aspirations rather than financial incentives alone. However, if Barcelona were to push for a deal, Liverpool might be a more feasible destination given the current market dynamics.
