Manchester City have reportedly joined rivals Manchester United in the race to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer.
The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag identifying the Dutchman as his primary target.
However, according to reports in Spain Man City have held an interest in signing De Jong since 2019, when the midfielder joined Barca from Ajax, and they would be open to negotiating a deal with the Catalan giants this summer.
The report adds that the Citizens are not prepared to match Barca's €85m (£73.8m) valuation of De Jong, but they could hold discussions over a proposed swap deal between the Dutchman and Bernardo Silva.
Barcelona boss Xavi is believed to be a huge admirer of the 27-year-old Portugal international, whose agent Jorge Mendes is understood to have held talks with the La Liga club over a possible switch to Catalonia.
Due to the club's financial predicament, they would need to raise funds from player sales before attempting to lure the £80m-rated playmaker to Camp Nou, but a potential swap deal involving De Jong could appeal to them this summer.
De Jong, who is set to go on holiday now that his time on international duty with the Netherlands has come to an end, recently claimed that he is playing for "the biggest club in the world" and insists that there is currently "no news" regarding his future at Barcelona.
Oliver Thomas
