8 Barcelona stars who were a hit in the Prem as Man Utd close in on De Jong
Key Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong could become the latest in a long list of stars to swap Barcelona for a Premier League challenge – many of which have gone on to win major silverware.
With Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton among the clubs to bring in players from the Camp Nou over the past decade and subsequently enjoyed impressive performances with many being sold on for a profit.
As De Jong's talks with United heat up, Daily Star Sport has taken a look at eight ex-Barcelona players who found their best form in the Premier League including Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal.
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Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez enjoyed three fruitful years at Barcelona between 2011 and 2014, scoring 47 goals across 141 appearances and winning both the Copa del Rey and La Liga.
The Chile international then agreed to a Premier League move to Arsenal for a fee in the region of £31million – going on to be their star man.
Sanchez scored 80 goals across 166 appearances over the next four seasons and picked up two FA Cup winners medals – the less said about his time with United the better.
Cesc Fabregas
Cesc Fabregas return to Barcelona from Arsenal in 2011 following eight-first team seasons, going on to score 42 goals across three seasons and win both La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
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Despite a previous promise to Gunners fans, his Premier League return came with London rivals Chelsea, where he would win two Premier League titles among other trophies.
The former Spain midfielder proved to be a success during both of his spells in the English top flight, going on to join Monaco in 2019.
Yaya Toure
Yaya Toure became one of the greatest midfielders in the history of the Premier League after swapping Barcelona for Manchester City in the summer of 2010.
Toure spent eight seasons with the club and picked up three Premier League titles as well as three domestic cups while smashing home 79 goals.
Most notably, the former Ivory Coast international scored 20 league goals during the 2013/14 campaign to be named as the club's player of the year.
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta spent a total of 12 seasons in the Premier League having joined Everton from Rangers after a short spell with PSG.
That move to France came after his rose up the Barcelona ranks, with his career ending in 2016 following solid spells at both Goodison Park and the Emirates.
Arteta was a deep-lying creative midfielder during his final few years as a player, winning two FA Cup finals in 2013/14 and later 2014/15.
Lucas Digne
Lucas Digne had two seasons with Barcelona between 2016 and 2018 following spells with Lille, PSG and Roma – but wanted a new challenge after getting limited opportunities.
On his arrival in the Premier League, the France international became a key player for the Toffees and ended up making 127 appearances over four seasons.
Following a spat with former boss Rafa Benitez, the 28-year-old join Aston Villa for £25million in January and has so far played 16 times for the club.
Oriol Romeu
Oriol Romeu joined Chelsea back in 2011 having made two first-team appearances for Barcelona, but was sent out on loan to first Valencia and later Stuttgart.
It took a move to Southampton for the Spaniard to find his best form, making 254 appearances in total across the last seven league seasons.
Those displays have seen the 30-year-old linked with moves to other Premier League sides such as Aston Villa.
Luis Garcia
Luis Garcia became a cult hero in the Premier League after spending four years at Barcelona where he was loaned out on no less than four occasions.
Having joined Atletico Madrid and then returned to the Nou Camp, he signed for Liverpool in 2004 and stuck around for three years where he won both the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Garcia scored 30 goals in total for the club before moving back to Atletico, calling time on his career back in 2016.
Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City after impressing at Brighton having come through Barcelona's youth academy.
The left-back left Barca to join Getafe in 2020 before his move to the Amex, where he has made 38 appearances and caught the eye of the Premier League champions.
Although he is happy at Brighton, a bid from City could test the resolve of both the player and the club this summer.
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