The paths of PSG and Real Madrid have crossed multiple times in recent years on the transfer market. As for the Frenkie de Jong case, which turned out in favor of FC Barcelona in 2019, Real Madrid played an indirect, but key role in the outcome of this operation. Much to the chagrin of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Real Madrid is known for playing dirty tricks on Paris Saint–Germain on the transfer market. The soap opera Kylian Mbappé is the most famous case which ultimately turned in favor of the Merengue club. Before that, we can cite the operations Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Edward Camavinga or even David Alaba. Unwittingly, the European champion deprived the PSG of Frenkie de Jong.
“I knew during the Real Madrid / Ajax match where he was huge that we really had to have him in our stable”
In winter 2019, the Real Madrid was opposed toAjax Amsterdam of Frenkie de Jong and d‘Erik Ten Hag in the 1/8th finals of the Champions League. The performances of the Dutch club against the title holder (2-1 and 4-1) impressed PSG, but also the FC Barcelone. This is in fact what’Eric Abidal, sports director of Barça at the time, said in an interview for Free Football. “The recruitment I am most proud of is Frenkie de Jong. I know that at the time he had an agreement with quite a few clubs, notably Paris Saint-Germain. And I knew during the Real Madrid / Ajax match (editor’s note, 1/8th final of the 2018/2019 Champions League) where he was huge that we really had to have him in our stable.
“His dream was to play for Barça”
Eric Abidal subsequently took the time to explain that Frenkie de Jong had already given its approval to PSG after a discussion with the Parisian coach at that time who was Thomas Tuchel. Nevertheless, the FC Barcelone was able to reverse the trend. “But there you go, I think that in this profession, the important thing is information. And his dream was to play for Barça. He told me: “Here I haven’t spoken with the Barça coach. “That’s certainly why I made the decision to go to Paris Saint-Germain because I spoke with (Thomas) Tuchel at the time.” And I simply told him: Barça is the institution that signs you, it’s not the coach. And the second thing: at the price of the transfer, know that you will be an indisputable starter because players always have this doubt. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to achieve our goals.”
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