De Jong Returns to Group Training as City Drops Summer Pursuit

Overview

• De Jong resumed portions of Barcelona group training this week but remains not medically cleared to play after choosing conservative, non-surgical rehabilitation for a right-knee MCL injury sustained at the 2026 World Cup.
• Manchester City examined De Jong as a summer target, requested his medical reports, and after reviewing them decided not to make an offer and instead signed other midfield targets including Enzo Fernández.
• Reports do not confirm that City’s withdrawal was driven solely by medical findings and club sources stopped short of linking the decision directly to his knee condition.
• Barcelona’s midfield has grown deeper with the arrivals and form of players such as Rodri, Pedri and Marc Bernal, so De Jong will face strong competition for minutes when he is cleared.
• De Jong is under contract until June 30, 2029, has said he wants to stay at Barcelona, and the club will use his minutes and form between now and January to judge whether he keeps a central role or becomes a transfer candidate watched by other clubs.