Manchester United have long been linked with Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong, with the Dutchman edging closer to a transfer this summer
(Image credit: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Manchester United are poised to finally land Frenkie De Jong, with Barcelona having made a huge decision on the Dutchman's future.
The Red Devils were heavily linked with the midfielder during Erik ten Hag's first transfer window as manager, with the ex-Ajax boss wishing to reunite with his former prodigy. His hunt for a defensive midfielder, however, ended with the signing of Casemiro instead.
De Jong committed his future to Barcelona but after another season in which the Catalan outfit have underwhelmed, this could well be in doubt, with funds needing to be raised to strengthen the side.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is a huge fan of De Jong (Image credit: Getty Images)
Spanish outlet Sport reports that Barça want to get rid of De Jong – not just for financial reasons but tactical, too.
The report notes that the key areas that sporting director Deco wants to recruit for the summer are left-wing and defensive midfield, with a long-term successor to Sergio Busquets wanted. De Jong is more suited to playing as a No.8 or in a double-pivot – making the Dutchman more expendable than the likes of Gavi or Pedri this summer.
In FourFourTwo's view, De Jong is the most sensible sale, given that he could be sold for over £50 million – but there's no guarantee that the player himself wants to leave, having stuck to his guns two years ago when Barcelona wanted to sell him.
Barcelona are willing to part with De Jong (Image credit: Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
With the 26-year-old commanding one of the highest wages at Camp Nou and still contracted until 2026, it's feasible that either no club will make a reasonable offer or that once more, De Jong will dig in his heels.
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The No.21 is worth €70m, according to Transfermarkt.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
