Frenkie de Jong is at the helm of Manchester United’s transfer goals, but the Red Devils want a response from the Barcelona midfielder on where his future lies
Frenkie de Jong
Manchester United are looking for Frenkie de Jong’s final answer on whether the midfielder wants to join the club from Barcelona this summer.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Red Devils since Erik ten Hag was appointed new coach earlier this month. The pair worked together at Ajax and helped the club reach the semi-finals of the Champions League during the 2018/19 season.
It is believed that De Jong would rather stay and fight for his place in Barcelona, but the Spanish giants remain in grave financial danger and could be forced to sell some of their star assets in the transfer period. The club must drop players before they can buy anyone due to their restrictions, and with Pedri, Gavi and Sergio Busquests impressive in the middle of Barça’s field last season, De Jong may be the one to make his way.
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Ten Hag hopes to convince De Jong to join United and has assured him that he will be a key player in his rebuild despite no Champions League football for the Red Devils next season. They finished sixth in the Premier League, 11 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and will play in the Europa League.
However, the Red Devils do not want the situation to get any longer and the club wants to know if De Jong’s future is in Manchester or elsewhere. According to SPORT, United “can’t wait any longer” to find out where their football will play next season, as Ten Hag are starting to form their team together for the 2022/23 season.
If his answer is no, United will have to explore other goals with the midfield an area that needs serious surgery in the summer. Paul Pogba will leave the club and join Juventus when his contract expires, while Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic will also leave at the end of their current deals in June.
Manchester United target Frenkie De Jong (
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Getty Images)
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That leaves only Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek as the only other three senior United midfielders, with Bruno Fernandes in a more advanced role. De Jong usually plays in the No. 8 position, but he can also fill a midfield pivot more thoroughly if necessary.
Ten Hag used De Jong in a three-man midfield at Ajax alongside Lasse Schöne and Van de Beek. The latter has struggled for regular playing time at United since joining in 2020, but the arrival of Ten Hag could rejuvenate his career and return him to his best moment.
Despite De Jong’s position, United are said to be confident of reaching an agreement with Barcelona for a fee of £ 60 million. Declan Rice and Ruben Neves also remain linked with a move to Old Trafford.
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