Following his move to Barcelona last week, Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan stated that Frenkie de Jong wanted to play for Manchester City.

"De Jong had made his mind up at an early stage. He wanted to go to one club which was Manchester City because they had a manager who he always believed in and who he thinks is one of the best in the world. [Netherlands head coach] Ronald Koeman recommended the player to Guardiola saying 'If you want a great midfielder who can help your team to do the tiki-taka and build it up from the back this is your man'," said van der Kraan.

Van der Kraan added that City were hampered by FFP regulations.

"But if Man City had not been bothered by their own internal issues - and I'm looking at Financial Fair Play - he would've gone there."