MANCHESTER CITY boss Pep Guardiola is ready to step up his pursuit of £80m Ajax star Frenkie De Jong.

The 21-year-old has become one of the most highly-regarded youngsters in Europe, with Barcelona and PSG also interested.

2 Frenkie De Jong has been a star for both Ajax and Holland this season and is wanted around Europe Credit: Getty

The Etihad club have sent scouts to watch him on a number of occasions so far this season, and have been impressed.

And City are looking to launch bid for the Dutch midfielder in January, and could let him stay at Ajax for the rest of the season.

The Eredivisie side are reluctant to sell one of their star assets, but may be interested if the right offer comes onto the table.

They are huge admirers of Ilkay Gundogan and are keen to land the 27-year-old German midfielder as part of any deal.

2 Pep Guardiola is a big fan of De Jong and has sent City scouts to watch him this campaign Credit: Getty

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An Etihad source said: “Ajax do not want to sell him but the club think that if the right off was proposed they could be persuaded.

“There have been talks already between the two at a high level. They want Ilkay but there's little possibility that will be allowed to happen.”

De Jong has made 30 appearances for Ajax and scored one goal after breaking into the first-team back in 2016.