Manchester City’s failure to sign Frenkie De Jong is likely to force the club into smashing their transfer record this summer.
Pep Guardiola was desperate to sign the Dutchman having earmarked him as a long-term successor to Fernandinho and had spoken to Netherlands boss and former team-mate Ronald Koeman about the midfielder’s temperament.
City were willing to better Barcelona’s £76million deal for the 21-year-old but he opted for the Spanish giants and will move to the Camp Nou this summer.
It means, following Jorginho’s decision to join Chelsea last summer, that City have failed in their last two attempts to replace Fernandinho and the club are now assessing options elsewhere.
Lyon star Tanguy Ndombele was sensational in a 2-1 win against City at the Etihad in September and he is in the cub’s list of alternatives to De Jong.
The Frenchman has been compared to Chelsea legend Michael Essien and according to reports the 22-year-old has his ‘heart set’ on playing under Guardiola.
However, City’s public pursuit of De Jong has handed Lyon an early advantage in negotiations allowing them to demand around £80m for Ndombele.
The French club feel he is on par with De Jong and are under little financial pressure to sell after making a £46m operating profit in the last financial year.
City have good relations with Lyon following Jason Denayer’s move to France but City value Ndombele at closer to £60m – some £20m short of Lyon’s asking price.
Riyad Mahrez became the club’s record signing when he completed a £60m move from Leicester City last summer but Guardiola will realistically have to break that again to sign Ndombele.
Agencies
