De Jong has been frequently linked with a move to Old Trafford since Erik ten Hag’s arrival prior to the 2022/23 season.
Ten Hag, who managed De Jong at Ajax, was keen to bring him to Manchester in his first summer at the club, but De Jong wasn’t interested. He was committed to staying at the Catalan club and was not convinced by Manchester United’s project, especially since they were in the Europa League rather than the Champions League.Ironically, Manchester United ended up eliminating Barcelona from the Europa League in the 22/23 season after the Spanish club finished third in their Champions League group.
After two months of unsuccessful attempts to sign De Jong, Manchester United shifted their focus and signed Casemiro from Real Madrid for over £60 million.
Barcelona were open to selling De Jong in 2022 and even accepted a bid from the Premier League giants, which may have given Manchester United a false sense of hope.
Last year, there were occasional rumors, and as we approach the 2024 summer window, it’s being reported that Ten Hag will make another attempt, this time with a strategic advantage.
Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd? Erik ten Hag has a plan…
Reports from Spain suggest that Barcelona president Joan Laporta is willing to sell the 27-year-old for as little as €60 million (£51 million), down from his valuation of around €85 million two years ago.
De Jong’s ‘future at Barca is again in doubt’ as Laporta seeks to reduce the wage bill, with the player ‘unwilling to lower his salary.’
As a result, Man Utd are ‘back in the hunt’ for him. Within the club’s ‘orbit,’ Ten Hag is ‘trying to persuade him’ to leave the La Liga giants.
United’s efforts are bolstered by another pursuit. The report adds that ‘all signs point to’ Matthijs de Ligt ‘leaving Bayern Munich this summer to join Manchester United.’ De Ligt, being De Jong’s ‘best friend in football,’ could help persuade him to move from Barcelona to Manchester. On second thoughts…
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This potential ‘reunion’ with Ten Hag would come nearly seven years after they first met at Ajax.
In Ten Hag’s first full season at Ajax (2017/18), they surprised Europe by reaching the Champions League semi-finals, losing to Tottenham due to a Lucas Moura hat-trick in the second leg.
De Jong was a ‘crucial’ part of that team, which is why the Man Utd boss ‘has been seeking his signing since arriving in England.’
With two years remaining on his Barcelona contract, the Netherlands international might be enticed to reunite with his old teammate at Old Trafford.The potential for Manchester United to sign Frenkie de Jong has resurfaced, with Erik ten Hag reportedly planning another attempt to bring the Dutch midfielder to Old Trafford this summer. De Jong, who previously rejected a move to Manchester in favor of staying at Barcelona, might now be more open to the transfer due to several factors.
One significant aspect of Ten Hag’s strategy involves leveraging De Jong’s close friendship with Matthijs de Ligt, who is also rumored to be on United’s radar. De Ligt, currently at Bayern Munich, could be persuaded to join Manchester United, potentially influencing De Jong to follow suit. The duo’s strong bond from their time together at Ajax, where they were key players under Ten Hag, could play a crucial role in their decision-making.
Barcelona’s financial situation adds another layer of possibility to this transfer. Reports suggest that the club’s president, Joan Laporta, is willing to sell De Jong for around €60 million (£51 million) to reduce the wage bill. This price is significantly lower than the €85 million valuation two years ago, making De Jong a more feasible target for United.
The potential reunion with Ten Hag and the opportunity to play alongside his best friend could be compelling reasons for De Jong to consider leaving Barcelona. With two years left on his contract, the midfielder’s future remains uncertain, but Manchester United’s persistent interest and strategic approach might finally secure his signature this summer.
