Barcelona 'want €50m for Frenkie de Jong'

Barcelona have set an asking price of €50m (£41.7m) for Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to a report.

The central midfielder has struggled for form and minutes for much of the La Liga season so far, with youngsters Pedri, Gavi and Nico Gonzalez often preferred in the three-man midfield.

Now according to Catalan online outlet El Nacional, Barcelona's hierarchy have opened the door for De Jong to leave Camp Nou, with a valuation of around €50m being set.

Chelsea are one of a number of top European clubs interested in his services, with recent reports claiming that Roman Abramovich has already offered €40m (£33.4m) to bring him to the Champions League holders.

With a shortfall of only €10m (£8.3m) as things stand, a transfer remains possible either in January or the summer transfer window, although Bayern Munich have also expressed an interest in the midfielder, with manager Julian Nagelsmann a huge admirer.

The 24-year-old's contract runs until the summer of 2026, having joined from Dutch side Ajax for around £77m in July 2019.