Barcelona's activity in the January transfer market has so far baffled football fans.

After being heavily linked with Paris Saint-Germain's Adrien Rabiot, the Blaugrana instead announced the signing of Kevin-Prince Boateng from Serie A outfit Sassuolo.

The Ghanaian maverick's football journey has taken its most unexpected twist, with the deal initially a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Boateng's versatility has been cited as the main reason for the move, not to mention the fact that it is rather cost-effective.

The 31-year-old can play across the midfield and can also deputise as a 'false nine' when Luis Suarez needs a rest, a position he has played for most of the season with Sassuolo.

However, Boateng is clearly not a long-term solution for Barca, especially in midfield and Ajax starlet Frenkie de Jong has been heavily linked with the club yet again in recent days.

Reports from Catalonia state that a deal is close and Goal have now had their say on the matter, revealing that Barca will actually break a club policy with their offer to the Dutchman.

The La Liga leaders will offer De Jong an astronomical base wage of €10m-a-year, with another €6m-a-year available in bonuses.

They're also willing to pay in excess of the €70m transfer fee that has been touted once negotiations between the two parties open.

It will make De Jong one of the club's highest earners and it's usually against their policy to offer a young player such a huge salary.

The 21-year-old will pocket around €200,000-a-week before bonuses, which is up there with the likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Philippe Coutinho.

However, De Jong's potential salary would be dwarfed by the £580,000-a-week Lionel Messi takes home.

With Boateng, Busquets, Coutinho, Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic, Arthur Melo and Carles Alena all currently midfield options, the desperation to get De Jong seems a tad odd.

He may have one of the most glowing reputations in world football, but it will certainly be a midfield overload at the Camp Nou if he does arrive in the summer.