Manchester United spent the entire summer of 2022 chasing Frenkie de Jong to no avail. The Barcelona superstar made it clear he wanted to stay at Camp Nou. That decision hasn't prevented talk of a move to Old Trafford from subsiding.
De Jong's long-term future at Barca is uncertain amid an ankle injury that has ruled him out for the start of the season. He missed Euro 2024 with the Netherlands, and there are question marks over the Catalans' desire for him to continue with the La Liga giants.
FootballTransfers.com reports that the Blaugrana have agreed on a package with De Jong on unsettled wages of around €18 million. This is on the condition that the former Ajax man leaves Camp Nou in 2025 which, if true, is a massive development for United.
Manchester United could swoop for Frenkie de Jong yet again
Manchester United reportedly agreed on an €85 million package deal with Barca for De Jong in July 2022, per Fabrizio Romano. The only issue was that the player wanted to stay in Catalonia and continue playing for 'the club of his dreams'.
De Jong's eagerness to stay with the Catalans meant United failed to lure him to Old Trafford. It was a dissapointing situation for the club who'd made the playmaker their No.1 transfer target that summer.
"It would have been De Jong and Casemiro" - Ten Hag confirmed plan for his ex-midfield maestro
De Jong spent three years playing under Ten Hag at Ajax and had much success with the Dutch coach at the Johan Cruyff Arena. He bagged three goals and four assists in 59 games, part of the side that won the Eredivisie title, KNVB Cup and made it to the semi-finals of the 2019 Champions League.
Ten Hag had planned to bring De Jong to Manchester United and partner him with Casemiro, who arrived from Real Madrid in September 2022. He confirmed this idea in an interview last season (via Romano):
""Yes, it would have been de Jong and Casemiro playing and complementing each other. But in the last decade and in this period, we couldn't always get the players we wanted. You have to accept that"."Erik ten Hag on Frenkie de Jong
Manchester United have made several midfield additions to their squad during Ten Hag's reign. Mason Mount arrived from Chelsea for €64 million in the summer of 2023 but has endured an injury ridden start to his Red Devils career.
Manuel Ugarte was the midfielder snapped up by United this past summer but he's a more defensive profile to De Jong. The Uruguayan arrived after Scott McTominay exited for Napoli, meaning there is space for another midfield signing and perhaps a reunion with Ten Hag's former Ajax midfield maestro.
Red Devil Armada Verdict
This should be the last time Manchester United pursue De Jong if they do decide to re-ignite their interest off the back of the reports suggesting he'll be offloaded next summer. He's clearly the one player Ten Hag is desperate to have at Old Trafford which could be a gamechanger for the Dutch coach and his vision for the team.
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