We are almost a week into the January transfer window and Arsenal are yet to make any move, despite lacking options in midfield.
Both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, whilst Hale End graduate Ainsley Maitland-Niles is nearing a move to AS Roma, leaving Mikel Arteta with just Granit Xhaka and Albert Sambi Lokonga in the centre of the park.
The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Renato Sanches and Bruno Guimaraes in recent days but nothing concrete has materialised as of yet.
Now, The Athletic have claimed that Barcelona would consider a big offer for maestro Frenkie de Jong, with Xavi keen to develop teenage talents Pedri and Gavi in the coming years.
The report states that there is hope around the Nou Camp that a rich club, such as Newcastle United, will make a hefty offer for de Jong to help the Blaugrana with their squad rebuild.
Despite a January move seeming rather unlikely, Arsenal are certainly in need of a midfielder and an audacious move for de Jong would undoubtedly boost their chances of a top-four finish this season.
In fact, the Dutch international has previously admitted his admiration for the Gunners, claiming that he saw himself joining the north Londoners after he had sealed his move to Barcelona back in the summer of 2019.
"I actually thought Arsenal was pretty beautiful in the past," he told Voetbal International. "In my mind, I have had the following list for a long time: Ajax-Arsenal-Barcelona, call it the Marc Overmars route.
"But yes, if you can go directly to Barcelona, then you are also right where you want to be. Faster than you ever dared to dream."
