Which PSG star have Barcelona identified as De Jong's replacement?

Cameron Smith

• 8 May 2022 12:15 CDT
• 3 min read

Paris Saint-Germain could be raided by La Liga's biggest clubs this summer following news that Barcelona have reportedly targeted one of their midfield stars as Frenkie de Jong's replacement should the Dutchman leave.

It comes after the persistent reports linking Kylian Mbappe with Barcelona's El Clasico rivals Real Madrid.

De Jong, 24, has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou in recent weeks and months with the likes of Manchester United and PSG themselves reportedly interested in making a move for him.

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After arriving with plenty of hype from Ajax, De Jong hasn't quite hit the heights expected of him at Barcelona and as a result they could look to move him on.

Pedri and Gavi have both emerged and risen to prominence during De Jong's time at the club, and Franck Kessie could join the Blaugrana on a free transfer this summer when his contract at AC Milan expires.

As a result, De Jong has been heavily rumoured with a transfer away after three years at the club.

Will Barcelona let De Jong leave?

De Jong played 45 times in all competitions this season and with Sergio Busquets ageing and Pedri suffering a few injury issues, the Blaugrana are wary of letting a player of his calibre leave.

Therefore, according to Mundo Deportivo they will only let the Dutch international depart this summer if a suitable replacement comes in.

Manchester City duo Bernardo Silva and Kevin de Bruyne are two players that Xavi's side deem of the level necessary to let De Jong leave, but they're reportedly aware a move for De Bruyne in particular isn't feasible.

The other name on their list, according to the report is PSG's Marco Verratti. The Italian has been in Paris since 2012 but he's remarkably still only 29 years old.

A diminutive midfielder, Verratti has played at the highest level for a decade now and plays a hugely important role in PSG's midfield. His injury record, however, is a slight issue.

He's suffered 13 separate injuries over the past two seasons, and has only ever amassed over 30 Ligue 1 appearances in a single campaign once during his time at the club.

Barcelone tried to sign Verratti in 2017, but were unsuccessful in their attempts back then and are now prepared to go back in for him this summer. So, De Jong's exit will depend on whether Verratti, or a player of his calibre, arrives at Camp Nou during the upcoming transfer window.