Manchester United are close to a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in a major update shared on Thursday.
The Lowdown: Contact made
Erik ten Hag previously worked with the 25-year-old at Ajax and has made a head start on an Old Trafford rebuild by terminating his deal with the Dutch giants six weeks early.
The Red Devils made contact over a deal for De Jong earlier this month, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
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Romano stated earlier this week that Champions League football was a priority for De Jong, something United can’t offer at this moment in time, however, it looks as if there has now been a big breakthrough in talks.
The Latest: Move close
The Faithful MUFC translated an update from well-known news outlet Corriere dello Sport on Thursday regarding De Jong.
They state that De Jong is next to pack his bags at the Nou Camp after Philippe Coutinho’s permanent move to Aston Villa and won’t be the last due to Barcelona’s financial situation, adding that a transfer to United is now close.
The Verdict: Ten Hag set to get his way
Should this report prove accurate, then it looks as if United are edging closer to a first major transfer under Ten Hag. The United manager wanted to change De Jong’s mind over a reunion in England and is keen on his services for his ‘tactical ideas’.
It appears like he may now get his way, and you’d like to think that De Jong may not be the only midfielder to arrive, especially as Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata are out of contract, while Nemanja Matic is also set to leave over the coming months.
De Jong could be the club's only out and out central midfielder, joining holding midfielders Scott McTominay and Fred and attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes, which just shows that more is required.
In other news: Man Utd source: Sensational transfer twist as Erik ten Hag now hijacking move for 'golden boy'.