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Report: Guardiola now wants to beat Liverpool to ‘fantastic’ £164k-a-week talent after Champions League exit

Lee Connor

Fri 6 May 2022 12:15, UK

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is keen on beating Liverpool to the signing of Barcelona midfielder, Frenkie de Jong.

That’s according to the , who claim that De Jong is now top of the list for the City manager as he plans an overhaul of his team following their Champions League exit. City had looked on course to make it consecutive finals before Rodrygo stunned Guardiola and his team in injury time at The Bernabeu.

And now the claim that De Jong is now a key target for the City boss. Interest in the Dutchman comes just a few months after title rivals Liverpool made their own interest known in the Barcelona star.

De Jong is seen as a valuable player at The Camp Nou. However, there is a growing feeling that the club would rather sell the former Ajax man rather than lose one of their other upcoming talents such as Gavi. It’s believed a bid in the region of could be enough to tempt Barca into a sale.

The classy playmaker is thought to earn around . Of course, that sort of money won’t worry City, who will spend what’s needed to get that elusive Champions League trophy to The Etihad.

TBR’s View: De Jong Signing Would Be A Strong Message To Liverpool

While we’re all engrossed in the battle between Liverpool and City for the Premier League title, it’s interesting to see them looking at similar players.

Frenkie de Jong is a class act who improves either side. But if City do get him in the door, then you feel it will give them a psychological boost as well. Beating your biggest rivals to a player is big at times.

City do need a bit of a refresh. Of course, they aren’t far off at all. But with players coming into their 30s and contracts getting closer to expiry, a player like De Jong would surely be welcomed.