According to reports, Manchester United are on the verge of sealing a huge deal with Barcelona to sign Frenkie de Jong ahead of the summer transfer window.
“There is a 95% chance that Frenkie de Jong joins Manchester United. Barcelona needs to sell due to financial reasons. The operation would be closed for €70m-€80m.” These words from Gerard Romero, a reliable source for transfer news, have resonated round the transfer world, with many now expecting the deal to be a mere formality.
Manchester United had a long-standing interest in the Dutchman dating back to his time at Ajax. The English giants are looking to make him their first acquisition in the Erik Ten Hag era in what promises to be a blissful reunion. The Red Devils want to show Ten Hag that they are backing him fully, and what better way to do that than to make a blockbuster signing, particularly a player whom the Dutch manager is familiar with.
The duo enjoyed a successful spell together at the Amsterdam Arena. They lifted the Dutch Eredivisie and KNVB Cup double in the final season before the Ajax academy graduate joined Barcelona in a £65M deal.
“Frenkie de Jong will be transferred to Manchester United. It is a purely economic issue. Barça needs to sell a player,” Romero added.
United have just one game left this season in what has been a woeful campaign despite promising so much after last year’s summer transfer window. The Reds have settled for a place in one of Europe’s lesser competitions and are in a battle to at least make it to the Europa League.
Reports suggest that the Catalan side believes the performances from the 24-year-old midfield maestro do not warrant them holding on to him. They are looking to cash in while they can demand a huge fee and want to recoup some of the €75M initial fee they paid for his transfer in 2019.
United are preparing for a squad overhaul and a team rebuild. Whether or not their lack of Champions League football would be a hindrance to adding real quality to their side remains to be seen.
