Manchester United and Barcelona are said to be close to settling the transfer of Frenkie de Jong.
Despite his contract with Blaugrana, which runs until the summer of 2026, the 25-year-old’s future has come into question in recent weeks.
Eric ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford has sparked speculation that the new Red Devils coach will want to reconcile with the player he managed during his massive success period at Ajax.
de Jong He was a key figure in the Amsterdam giants’ run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals, earning £77.4m to move to Catalonia in the summer of 2019.
Since then, the midfielder has scored 13 goals and 17 assists in 139 games for Barcelona, and the 2020-21 Copa del Rey title was his only title at the club.
During the 2021-22 season, both Ronald Koeman and Xavi de Jong made a key player in Blaugrana XI, finishing with four goals and five assists in 46 games.
Man United are making progress in their discussions with Barcelona, according to Sport magazine, and are closer to a deal that could see them pay €80m (£68.7m) for the Dutchman.
According to the source, there is a “real possibility” that De Jong will terminate his three-year contract with Barcelona in the coming weeks, and Man United do not expect any further hurdles in the discussions.
After former prodigy Willem II recently indicated his desire to stay in Spain, it is now up to the 20-times England champions to persuade De Jong to move to Old Trafford.
What de Jong thinks:
“I’d rather stay with Barcelona,” De Jong told ESPN.
“Barcelona is just my dream club. Also from a young age. I said it too. I never regretted being chosen even though I hoped for more trophies than I have achieved so far. I never regretted being chosen.”
Man United’s inability to qualify for the Champions League is thought to have worried players, but there is growing hope at Old Trafford that a deal can be struck.
Ten Hag has already said goodbye to a number of midfielders before the start of his first season in charge, with Paul Pogba leading the way on a free transfer.
Manchester United also separated from Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard, as well as striker Edinson Cavani and goalkeeper Lee Grant.
