Nigel de Jong 'eyed by Real Madrid' as Man City contract talks stall

Posted Monday, November 14, 2011 by Metro.co.uk

Nigel de Jong's situation is being monitored by Real Madrid, after talks about a new contract at Manchester City stalled.

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.

That has alerted other clubs that he may become available in the summer transfer window and Real Madrid are among those interested.

Nigel de Jong's tough tackling is in demand

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, reports the Daily Star Sunday.

City paid £18million to sign the defensive midfielder from Hamburg in 2009 and he has been a first-team regular for the past two seasons.

However, he has found opportunities difficult to come by this term, as Citizens boss Roberto Mancini has adopted a more attacking formation.