Revealed: What Barcelona Did to Snatch €75M-Rated Standout From PSG in 2019 | OneFootball

Eric Abidal, who played for Barcelona between 2007 and 2013 before becoming the club’s sporting director from 2018 to 2020, was pivotal in preventing Paris Saint-Germain from signing Frenkie de Jong in 2019.

In an interview with Carré, Abidal revealed how Barcelona managed to outmaneuver PSG, even though the French club had already reached an agreement with the Dutch midfielder.

During the 2018-19 season, while De Jong appeared set to join PSG, Barcelona ultimately secured the Ajax midfielder. The transfer was announced at €75 million, excluding bonuses, though it only took effect after the season ended. Abidal played a key role in sealing the deal.

What Barcelona did to snatch Frenkie de Jong from PSG

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During the deal for De Jong, Abidal intervened in an attempt to prevent the Dutch international from joining PSG.

“He has agreements with clubs because that’s his agent’s job,” Abidal said (h/t Le10Sport). “Barcelona’s interest in signing him is 200 percent real. But when his agent tells you the player has chosen to go to Paris Saint-Germain, it’s tough to accept.

“I did my part by telling the player: the president, the vice president, the football operations manager, the sporting director, the CEO—all of them will be in Amsterdam on Tuesday and want to talk to you. When you know the player’s dream is to play for Barcelona, you still believe you have a chance.”

“Then, you understand why he chose PSG. It’s the club that’s signing him, not just the coach. When a club invests that much money—€86 million, plus bonuses—you’re going to play. They’re committing to you for at least 10 years. He’s still here.”

PSG may reconsider their interest in De Jong as Barcelona seems ready to part ways with him with his contract nearing its expiration. According to a recent report from Mundo Deportivo, the club has opted not to prioritize renewing the Dutch midfielder’s contract due to an inability to meet his salary demands.