Manchester City Star Agrees Terms With Barcelona?

Reports suggest that one of Manchester City's first-team stars has now agreed personal terms with Barcelona.

Frenkie de Jong has been linked with a move away from the Camp Nou since the beginning of the transfer window. The Dutchman is the Blaugrana's highest earner, and the Catalan giants are keen on getting him off their books in an effort to lessen the strenuous financial situation they find themselves in.

The LaLiga club reportedly owes the 25-year-old £17 million (R343 million) in deferred wages, which means any deal involving De Jong moving on would prove difficult.

Manchester United and Barca have reportedly agreed a transfer fee of €85 million (R1.4 billion) for the holding midfielder, but the Netherlands international seemingly does not want to leave Spain for Manchester.

He is said to be open to joining Chelsea, however. Although he would prefer to stay at the Camp Nou, if he is to leave, he would still want to be competing in the UEFA Champions League, something United and his former manager Erik ten Hag are unable to offer him.

Out: Philippe Coutinho – joined Aston Villa for €20m

Out: Francisco Trincao – joined Sporting Lisbon on loan

Out: Rey Manaj – left Barcelona as a free agent, has joined Watford

Out: Moussa Wague – left Barcelona as a free agent, has joined HNK Gorica

Out: Dani Alves – left Barcelona as a free agent, has joined UNAM Pumas

Out: Oscar Mingueza – joined Celta Vigo on a free transfer

Out: Clement Lenglet – joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan

In: Raphinha – signed from Leeds United for €58m

In: Jules Kounde – signed from Sevilla for €50m

In: Robert Lewandowski – signed from Bayern Munich for €45m

In: Franck Kessie – joined after leaving AC Milan as a free transfer

In: Andreas Christensen – joined after leaving Chelsea as a free transfer

Regardless, with it looking as though the midfielder will leave for the Premier League at some point, Barca are believed to already have a replacement in mind.

City's Bernardo Silva is said to be one of Blaugrana's main priorities for this transfer window, with boss Xavi Hernandez said to feel that he could occupy the midfield role De Jong has primarily been deployed in during his time at the Camp Nou, even though the Portuguese playmaker has more frequently been used as part of a front three under Pep Guardiola.

According to Cadena COPE, Silva is just as eager to play for the five-time European champions and has told his agent, Jorge Mendes, to make it happen. This green light could ramp up Barca's pursuit of the player.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola made it clear he is reluctant to let one of his key players go.

"I would like for Bernardo to stay in Manchester. He's a very special player. But I don't know what's going to happen," the Spaniard admitted in a press conference on Friday morning, as per Barca Universal.