{
  "id": 38026,
  "title": "FC Barcelona Studies Signing Frenkie De Jong Replacement",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/fc-barcelona-studies-signing-frenkie-de-jong-replacement",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T08:27:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Forbes",
    "slug": "forbes",
    "url": "https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomsanderson/2026/08/02/fc-barcelona-studied-signing-frenkie-de-jong-replacement/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "FC Barcelona is reportedly exploring the possibility of signing a replacement for the injured midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is expected to be sidelined for three to six months due to a torn MCL. With De Jong's absence, manager Hansi Flick faces a shortage of defensive options, prompting the club's Sporting Director Deco and President Joan Laporta to consider market moves before the season commences. Girona's Azzedine Ounahi has emerged as a top candidate, with a release clause of $28.8 million (€25 million), while Ajax also expresses interest in the 26-year-old. Ounahi, who impressed last season and at the World Cup, offers versatility in attacking midfield or on the wing, but is not a direct defensive replacement for De Jong. If Barcelona decides to make a move for Ounahi, they would need to incorporate other players like Gavi or Bernal to provide defensive control, as Barcelona aims for a La Liga \"threepeat\" and the Champions League title.",
  "summary": "FC Barcelona is believed to be studying the potential signing of a replacement for injured midfielder Frenkie de Jong.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}