News about transfers to Barcelona: De Jong asked Koeman for advice on his move to Barca



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The Ajax midfielder has consulted his Dutch coach before making a decision on his future.

Frenkie de Jong confirmed that he had sought advice from the Netherlands' head coach, Ronald Koeman, before agreeing to join Ajax in Barcelona.

De Jong will join Barca, leader of La Liga, for the 2019-2020 season, after agreeing on a transfer for an initial amount of 75 million euros (£ 65m / $ 85 million).

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were among the clubs interested in the midfield. Barca director Ernesto Valverde criticized the Premier League champion after De Jong said Pep Guardiola called him to persuade him to go to England.

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But Barca had his man and De Jong confirmed that former Camp Nou star Koeman was a sounding board for his future.

"I asked him a lot, I know he succeeded there," De Jong told reporters on Wednesday.

"I wanted to know how it was, the city, the daily life and the club.It is always comforting to know these things before going there."

When asked if he asked Koeman for advice, De Jong said, "Yes, I did it, and each time I joined the national team.

"There have always been rumors of interest, so I wanted to know what Ronald Koeman thought of everything.

"[He said] to go somewhere I play regularly. It did not matter where, as long as I played.

"I'm sure the manager has his preferences, but for him, it's essential to gain experience at the highest level."

De Jong should play a key role as the Netherlands begin their qualifying campaign for Euro 2020 with home matches against Belarus and Germany.

Koeman praised the player's attitude as he is still relatively young and inexperienced.

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"I did not think I was that wise when I was 21," Koeman said. "I learned this later in life.

"He's like that in everything he does, he always smiles, you want everyone to be like that, but unfortunately not everyone is the same."

Koeman said: "If you are part of the same group as Germany, you are the favorites to qualify for the Euro 2020. But it also depends on the points you earn from other teams in the group. And then home games must always be won. "

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