An opportunity to play under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool could potentially prove too tempting for Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
What’s the word?
That is according to transfer insider Dean Jones, via GIVEMESPORT, who claims that the Reds could pip Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea to the signature of De Jong by offering him “something very special” at Anfield.
Speaking to GMS, Jones said:
“For him to leave, someone would have to offer him something very special.
“Now, maybe that’s a club like Liverpool. If Liverpool did pitch to him, then you could imagine why he might suddenly go for that as a better option than going to Manchester United.
“At the moment, him joining Manchester United just doesn’t look to be happening.”
A shock twist
It was reported earlier this week by Ben Jacobs that Liverpool were not actively pursuing De Jong, who has has been the subject of the summer.
Yet in a shock twist, Jones believes that the 25-year-old could be prised from the clutches of Barcelona and Xavi Hernandez if a “hugely attractive offer comes forward.”
Whilst the journalist feels that Liverpool could indeed be the club to lure the former Ajax man away from Camp Nou, it is worth noting that the asset could cost around £72million.
Liverpool already smashed their club-record with the £85million signing of Darwin Nunez from Benfica earlier in the window, so it would certainly be an unorthodox approach from a side who have been so calculated and astute with their additions in recent years.
With an average of 2.91 shot-creating actions, 5.49 passes into the final third and 5.08 progressive passes per 90, De Jong would suit Klopp’s system perfectly in a similar mould to that of Thiago Alcantara – imagine two players of that ilk in central midfield for the Reds.
If a last-ditch move for the “midfield maestro”, as dubbed by Statman Dave, is to take place then it will send shockwaves through the footballing landscape and ultimately serve as utter humiliation to arch-rivals Manchester United who spent most of the window chasing the Netherlands international.