Manchester City ruled out summer move for Barcelona midfielder after reviewing medical report

Manchester City dismissed their summer interest in Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong after thoroughly reviewing his medical report. The Dutch player had made progress in his recovery from a medial collateral ligament injury sustained during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He had begun participating in team training sessions and was nearing medical clearance to rejoin competitive action.

However, Barcelona's midfield was already crowded with competition, and the additions of Rodri and Marc Bernal had further diminished playing time. Manchester City contemplated De Jong as a potential replacement for Rodri, given his interest in leaving Barcelona during the summer. Barcelona's sporting department, led by Deco, was aware of City's interest and made it known that De Jong was not an untouchable player.

Consequently, Manchester City requested a medical report to evaluate De Jong's physical condition. Based on the findings, City made the decision not to proceed with the transfer, though the exact reasons remain unclear. The subsequent signings of younger midfield talents like Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson, and Ayyoub Bouaddi played a significant role in City's final decision.

De Jong's future at Barcelona remains uncertain, with an important season ahead of him. Despite the uncertainty, his return to group training is a positive sign, as Barcelona seeks to build a deep squad capable of competing for major titles. For now, De Jong shows no signs of wanting to leave Barcelona, even if his role and playing time may change in the future.