Manchester City backed out of Frenkie de Jong signing due to wage demands as he joins Barcelona for £65million

Manchester City refused to match Frenkie de Jong’s staggering £307,000-a-week salary to miss out on the new £65million Barcelona signing.

De Jong, 21, will move to Camp Nou at the end of the season and has put pen to paper on a five-year deal which will earn him £16m per season.

A number of Europe’s top clubs, including City, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, were interested in the Netherlands international, but he favoured a move to LaLiga instead.

According the the Daily Mirror, it is thought his huge wage demands would not be matched by the Premier League champions and manager Pep Guardiola conceded defeat in his pursuit of the midfielder.

“If you are the only one who want players, it’s easy,” Guardiola said. “Normally when you are involved with Madrid and Barcelona, you are going to lose.

“You have to be quicker and more efficient.”

De Jong admitted he spoke with Guardiola, but a move to Barcelona was too tempting to resist.

“I spoke with Guardiola about a move to Man City,” the youngster told Dutch outlet NOS . “Clubs all try to convince you when they want you.

“I am happy and proud that they did so much to get me.

“Barcelona have always been a dream club for me. The fact that they were so serious about getting me and that I have a good chance of getting playing time made the decision a bit easier.

“I already watched Barcelona as a kid and then when I was a bit more aware of the game you had the Guardiola era with all their successes.

“That turned me into an even bigger fan. I have always been a big fan of Messi, although I liked the entire team.”

De Jong becomes Barcelona’s third January signing, after Jason Murillo and Kevin-Prince Boateng.