Arsenal Urged To Sign 'Phenomenal' Barcelona Star Ahead Of Manchester United

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been urged to challenge Manchester United in the race to sign “phenomenal” Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.

That is according to former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell, who believes De Jong would be “brilliant” alongside Thomas Partey in a midfield partnership.

Barcelona secured the services of De Jong in 2019 from Ajax in a stunning £65m deal, which could rise by a further £9.5m through add-ons.

The 24-year-old Dutch midfielder has been an important part of Barcelona’s first team since he arrived at the Camp Nou, but his future has been plunged into doubt in recent weeks.

De Jong, who is under contract with Barcelona until 2026, has been heavily linked with United ahead of the January transfer window opening.

The Netherlands international’s father, John de Jong, recently claimed that the “five top European clubs have all called” in a potential bid to sign his son.

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Campbell has now insisted that De Jong, who is valued at around £60m, would “really fit into Mikel Arteta’s squad” at Arsenal.

“I would like De Jong, if you don’t mind. I would love to see him at Arsenal,” he told Football Insider.

“I cannot see them moving him on because he has been phenomenal for them, he really has.

“He is the one player who [would] really fit into Mikel Arteta’s squad. He would fit in effortlessly. I think he’d be brilliant beside Thomas Partey.

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“Would they want to do that deal? Barca want another striker now [Sergio] Aguero has retired. There is room for Aubameyang.

“Listen, at the end of the day, if they want to do business and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang wants to go -- do the business. Create some room on that wage bill.”

According to reports in Spain, De Jong has been named among the Barcelona players who could be sold.

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However, Barcelona manager Xavi is an admirer of De Jong and wants to keep hold of the United and Arsenal target for the long term.

Arsenal thrashed Premier League strugglers Norwich City 5-0 at Carrow Road on Sunday to move three points behind third-place Chelsea.

The Gunners will return to Premier League action on Tuesday when they host Wolves at the Emirates.

Topics: Barcelona, La Liga, Spain, Football, Frenkie De Jong, Arsenal, England, Premier League, Manchester United

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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