Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could finally get his hands on Barca man Frenkie de Jong this summer. Ten Hag wants his former ally at Ajax to join him in his new project at Old Trafford. However, De Jong has time and time again reiterated that he wants to stay at his ‘dream’ club. But the situation could be different as reports suggest that the midfielder to closer to leaving than staying. Moreover, Barcelona are ready to facilitate a move too, but De Jong would reportedly have the last say.
According to Sport, Barcelona and Manchester United seem ‘very close to reaching’ to reaching an agreement for De Jong’s transfer. United are ready to splash the cash as Ten Hag starts his rebuilding at the club. Further on, the manager appears more than eager to reunite with his former player at his new club. And though De Jong is against a move, Ten Hag wants United to do everything possible to get his signature.
United ready to meet De Jong’s valuation set by Barca
Earlier marked as ‘untouchable’ by Barca, De Jong could however find himself at United next season. The Catalans’ economic situation has gone from bad to worse as they need to raise money in order to comply with the Financial Fair Play regulations. As a result, the club is looking to sell their prized assets to avoid a total economical breakdown. And so on, Barcelona have set a price tag of £68 million on De Jong which United are ready to pay. The Red Devils are well aware of Barcelona’s poor financial conditions and are hence pressing to sign the Holland midfielder.
Erik ten Hag is also confident that he can ‘convince the player’ to join him in his new venture. However, multiple reports state that De Jong does not fancy the chance of playing at Old Trafford. The midfielder wants Champions League football and at the moment Barca would provide him with it than United. Ten Hag will have to start his European journey with United from the Europa League since the club finished 6th last season. Ten Hag still believes that De Jong could be at the center of his new project and wants to convey the same to the player.
De Jong emphasizes that he wants to ‘stay’
The Barca midfielder has finally opened up on the rumors of his potential move to United. De Jong is currently on international duty with the Netherlands but addressed the links of his exit. In an interview to Dutch newspaper, Algemeen Dagblad De Jong said,
“I will not go into that (United links). Not even about other names or clubs. I understand that that link is made. That sum is not that difficult, it is logical. I have enjoyed working with Ten Hag at Ajax – and I can’t look into the future, of course. But I prefer to stay at Barcelona. That has always been my dream club and it still is. As long as I don’t hear from the club management, I assume nothing is going on.”
On the other hand, Barcelona manager Xavi has confessed that De Jong’s situation will depend on the club’s economic condition. The Spaniard said,
“For me, Frenkie is a great player, he’s a beast – I like him and I think he can be part of an important era of the club. We will see the economic situation of the club…but I like de Jong.”
Though Sport claim that Barca and United are close to an agreement, the next few weeks will be crucial if a deal is to be fully reached. However, Ten Hag still has a lot of convincing to do as De Jong looks reluctant to join his side.
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