Barcelona midfielder De Jong reveals Guardiola called to him to wish well despite City losing transfer battle in 2019

Barca and Man City were in the race for then-Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong in the summer of 2019.

When Guardiola realised that the Dutchman will join the Catalans over his side, he called Frenkie to congratulate him on the move.

“Before my signing for Barcelona was made official, Pep Guardiola called me,” Frenkie de Jong told Tv3.

“He said in a serious, but kind of joking tone, that he was happy for me and congratulated me.”

Barcelona pipped Man City to the Dutchman's signing in the summer of 2019. The Catalans splashed €86m on the midfielder's move from Ajax back then.

De Jong has made 71 appearances for the Blaugrana since then, including 29 outings this season.