Last Wednesday (23), Barcelona officially announced the definitive signing of Frenkie De Jong and ended a novel that had lasted already a few months. The 21-year-old Dutch midfielder was wanted by PSG and Manchester City. He said that he had talked to Thomas Tuchel and Pep Guardiola but affirmed that to make his choice he took into account only what Barca could offer him.
“PSG was one of the best options. The club, the team, and the coach impressed me. They would give me the opportunity to play continuously and Ligue 1 could have been a good advantage, as there is time to grow. I went to Manchester and Paris and talked to Guardiola and Tuchel. My choice is not against these clubs but in favor of Barcelona. The challenge is great. About France, I haven’t had the feeling that I would like to play there for 10 years,” De Jong told Voetball.
One point that Frenkie showed was the great cause of doubts in his head at the time of choosing the club was the great number of midfielders that the Blaugrana cast already owns.
“I was a bit doubtful because I thought, ‘They have so many midfielders and it’ll be hard work to guarantee a place.’ But Barça gave me a good feeling. I don’t have guarantees, but my possibilities are positiv.” affirmed the number 21 of Ajax. It is worth remembering that the transfer is already signed, but De Jong goes to Barcelona just at the end of this season.
Even though he is very excited about wearing the shirt he always admired, De Jong knows things can go wrong in the new club and he said he is already prepared for that.
“I want to learn the language as quickly as possible and if it does not work, I’ll try somewhere else, I’m only 21 and I have to keep growing,” he said.