Bernabeu boss wants Etihad midfielder.
Nigel de Jong ‘eyed by Real Madrid’ as Man City contract talks stall
The tough-tackling Dutch midfielder’s current deal runs out at the end of next season and he had hoped negotiations about improved terms would be completed by now.
However, City bosses decided to put talks on hold until the end of the current campaign after it emerged the two sides are a long way apart.
The 26-year-old wants to double his £55,000-a-week salary in order to bring him closer to the wages earned by some of the club’s big-name signings, but the board are reluctant to match his demands.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho sent a scout to watch De Jong in City’s recent Champions League clash against Villarreal and is now weighing up making a £20million bid.
SOURCE: Daily Mail
Jose Mourinho is apparently keen to add more steel to his Real Madrid midfield despite having a number of top notch players who offer him that bite. The likes of Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira and Lassana Diarra are just three such players but that hasn’t stopped speculation that the Portuguese boss is ready to make an offer for Dutch international Nigel de Jong.
The 26 year old has started just two Premier League games this season but has been more influential in Champions League encounters. Roberto Mancini has for the most part opted for a midfield pairing of Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure and that has led de Jong to consider his future at the table toppers.
A move to Real Madrid is sure to interest the former Ajax and Hamburg man.