CITY, BAYERN EYEING DE JONG

Italian publication Calciomercatohas disclosed that English champions Manchester City and German Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong. It was revealed that the two clubs are still interested in the Dutch international despite his recent slump in form.

De Jong, 24, started this season well but he has suffered a dip in form in recent weeks. He produced an average performance in the El Clasico last weekend as Barcelona lost 2-1 at home to their arch rivals, Real Madrid. David Alaba and Lucas Vazquez scored for Madrid either side of the half-time interval, while summer signing Sergio Aguero came off the bench to score his first goal in a Barcelona shirt.

Aguero pulled oneback with virtually the last kick of the game, but it was just mere consolation as Barcelona fell further behind in the Spanish La Liga title race.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is a big fan of De Jong whom he rates as one of the best midfielders in European football. Guardiola wants to sign De Jong next summer as he's seen as the long-term replacement for veteran Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho.
Fernandinho signed a new one-year deal in the summer to take his time at the Etihad Stadium until next summer. De Jong is at the top of the midfield transfer wishlistat Manchester City in the quest to sign a replacement for Fernandinho next summer.
Manchester City are not the only European team keen on signing De Jong. German champions Bayern Munich are also interested in the Dutchman. The Bavarian giants have retained an interest in De Jong from his time in the Dutch Eredivisiewith Ajax Amsterdam.
De Jong has five years left on his existing Barcelona contractafter signing a new one last year. He's valued at €100m.