Barcelona regard €75 million-rated mainstay as ‘untouchable’ amid Bayern Munich interest

On Friday evening, reports emerged claiming that Bayern Munich were monitoring Barcelona midfield mainstay Frenkie de Jong heading into the summer transfer window.

While it was reported that they were only monitoring and there was nothing concrete at this point, a fresh update from BILD (h/t SPORT) is now claiming that the Bavarians manager, Thomas Tuchel, has asked the German champions to make a move for the Dutchman.

Tuchel has been a long-term admirer of de Jong and had even tried to sign him last summer at Chelsea before being sacked by the Blues. Now, the German tactician is keen to sign the 26-year-old at Bayern Munich.

However, a transfer looks extremely unlikely as Barcelona regard de Jong as an ‘untouchable’ in the squad.

From close to being forced out of the club last year to attaining the status of ‘non-transferable’, the Netherlands international has come a long way in the past twelve months or so.

Barcelona, in a dire situation, tried hard to offload de Jong last summer and even agreed a deal with Manchester United. But the midfielder dug in his heels and refused to leave. And, having done so, he has now grown into a permanent fixture in the middle of the park for Xavi Hernandez.

Indeed, de Jong, whose market value stands at €75 million, finished the 2022/23 season with 43 appearances in which he even contributed two goals and four assists.

With Sergio Busquets leaving, the Netherlands international’s importance could further rise as he can play as a pivot midfielder and help ease the transition of the replacement that Barcelona do sign.

De Jong, for his part, has made it clear that he does not wish to leave the club anytime soon, especially with his contract running until 2026. So, a move to Bayern Munich looks like a distant possibility.