Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong
Both Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano have provided an update on Manchester United’s pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The Lowdown: De Jong contact
Erik ten Hag has already made a head start when it comes to summer transfer business at Old Trafford, holding a planning meeting in Amsterdam last week.
He has now terminated his Ajax contract six weeks early in order to get going in England, and a reunion with De Jong seems to be high up on his agenda.
Contact has been made over a possible move and Barcelona’s financial situation may impact where De Jong is playing his football from next season.
The Latest: Updates
Romano took to Twitter on Tuesday, stating that Champions League football is a priority for De Jong next season. He did add that ‘United will try again’ and that Ten Hag would ‘love’ to change the midfielder’s mind over a transfer.
Plettenberg reacted to Romano’s post, believing a move to Old Trafford for De Jong ‘could become one of the biggest transfers in summer’, describing United’s pursuit as ‘hot’.
De Jong at Old Trafford?
Yes, would be perfect!
No, look elsewhere!
The Verdict: Marquee addition?
Midfielders will be needed at Old Trafford this summer, with Nemanja Matic set to leave and Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all out of contract at the end of June.
De Jong could prove to be the marquee midfield signing as Barcelona would reportedly want around £85m for his services. Ten Hag would know how to get the best out of him following the pair’s successful relationship at Ajax, however, with Champions League football a priority, a transfer could be complicated.
Plettenberg has stated that it ‘could become one of the biggest transfers’ this summer, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if this dragged on over the coming months.
In other news: ‘Important’ Man Utd arrival now in ‘final stages’ after Ten Hag approves deal.
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