IN SPORT.ES
Frenkie de Jong's decision to sign for FC Barcelona was down to various factors. The jump in salary he'd receive at Barça, the personal touch of travelling to Amsterdam to speak with him and, of course, the opinions of certain people he respects were all important.
Amongst those he seeked advice from the Camp Nou-bound star says Jasper Cillessen and Marc Overmas were key. In an interview with FC Barcelona, the Dutch midfielder admitted to speaking with the goalkeeper, almost on a daily basis, after he was linked with a transfer to the Spanish champions.
"I spoke with him about barcelona. He asked me things and I did too. He only had positive things to say about the city. That helped me. He told me the level of training was very high because the players were really good. He also said that if I came to Barcelona I'd grow much quicker as a player and that helped me make my decision."
In regards to Overmars, the current director of football at Ajax and former Barça man, he said this: "When Barça's showed a real interest in me, I asked him about the city and he said it was extraordinary. He had lived there for three or four years and told me it was incredible. The players, the people, the life.. he told me if I had the chance (to go there), to take full advantage of it."
The Ajax midfielder also said that Koeman was keeping track of all the developments along the way. "The night before I signed for Barça, Koeman called me and he was so happy."