2 years ago
Ten Hag is reportedly interested in recruiting Frankie De jong who is 24-year-old, and has played 136 times for Barcelona since joining from Ajax in 2019. He has won the Copa del Rey and the Players' Player of the Year title during that time.
The Red Devils have already revealed that Nemanja Matic will leave at the end of the season, and Paul Pogba's contract is likely to expire in the summer, leaving them low on midfield options. As they aim to enhance their roster, United is considering bringing in at least two players at that position.Declan Rice of West Ham United and Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United have both been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months. The pair shone for England at Euro 2020, appearing in all seven games en route to the tournament's final.Despite his desire for a new challenge, David Moyes is anxious to keep Rice at the club, while Leeds are hoping to extend Phillips' current contract, which expires in 2024. Given the possibility of missing out on Champions League football, United may find it difficult to persuade the pair to join them.
Ten Hag's possession-based, offensive style is expected to be implemented on the team, therefore he may prefer to sign someone who has already played in his system. In 2018/19, De Jong was a member of the Ajax team that advanced to the Champions League semi-finals before falling to Tottenham Hotspur.Ten Hag will investigate the idea of moving De Jong to United, according to Spanish television show El Chiringuito, and Barcelona will not reject any approach. After a strong season under Ronald Koeman last season, he has struggled for form this season.
Pedri and Gavi, both teenagers, are ahead of the £65 million man in the pecking order, while Sergio Busquets, 33, remains a mainstay in the side just ahead of the back four. Due to Xavi's adoption of a 4-3-3 formation, De Jong's minutes have been limited due to the performances of other players.According to the source, Barcelona has set an asking price of £58 million, a tiny decrease from the fee they paid just three years ago. However, if the Catalan giants want to add to their ranks this summer, they will have to trade some of their key players.
"Frenkie is very essential for me, for the club, and for the team," Xavi stated when questioned about De Jong's future. He is a footballer who, by his talent and personality, must usher in a new age.
"He's been playing at a high level since I arrived, and he needs to keep scoring goals, assisting, and being the game's protagonist." In the next years, he might be one of the top midfielders in the world."
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