Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - November 5, 2022. FC Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong celebrates scoring their second goal with Ansu Fati.
Manchester United are thought to be in pole position to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Ten Hag keen
Erik ten Hag has worked with De Jong before, with the 25-year-old making 59 appearances under his fellow countryman, contributing to seven goals.
The United boss has reportedly made the player one of his top summer targets after being desperate to sign De Jong last year. A move to Old Trafford seems to be back on, and a fresh update has emerged.
The Latest: Transfer update
FI reporter Pete O’Rourke provided an update on the situation between United and De Jong in the last 48 hours. He stated that the Red Devils are leading the race for the midfielder, with Barcelona needing to raise funds through sales.
The La Liga side would want £70m for De Jong’s services, a figure United are willing to meet, ‘provided they have funds available’.
The Verdict: Fingers crossed
De Jong, called ‘extraordinary‘ by his manager Xavi, could be a brilliant signing for United, with the midfielder starring at Old Trafford last month.
He was the best-rated player from either side in the Europa League second leg, as per SofaScore, completing 100% of his five attempted dribbles and winning 13 of his 16 duels.
The Barcelona star, like Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, has averaged an impressive WhoScored match rating of more than 7/10 so far this season, so the trio could form a formidable relationship in midfield next season, so De Jong could be the midfield arrival that is reportedly wanted in Manchester, leaving the club on the hunt for a marquee striker to join him.
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