Lionel Messi has predicted Frenkie de Jong. Man United's dream has come true
Frenkie de Jong, a Barcelona midfielder, has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, and Lionel Messi has previously predicted the midfielder's future.
Manchester United are close to completing a deal for Frenkie de Jong, and they will be hoping that his former teammate Lionel Messi is correct.
De Jong joined Barcelona from Erik ten Hag's Ajax in 2019 and worked with seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi before joining Paris Saint-Germain. Ronald Koeman, the club's manager at the time, has previously stated that he purposefully included Messi in his discussions with De Jong about his progress.
Messi predicted that the young midfielder would go on to achieve great things and extend a "higher level," while Koeman stated that De Jong was a "fantastic player." While he has struggled to make an impact at Barcelona since Messi's prediction, United will hope that demonstrates what he is capable of if he is lured to Old Trafford.
""When I arrived, I told Frenkie, 'This is your second season, you have to make a step higher now, you have to do more than just play along,'" Koeman said last year to De Telegraaf. "It may appear cruel, but he got the message.
"I told him he needed to take on more responsibility. to spend more time in the opponent's box During these discussions, I also brought up Messi. Messi complimented Frenkie on his talent. He enjoys being around players like Frenkie because he wants to be surrounded by pure football players.
"When the three of us talk, Messi expresses his feelings about Frenkie. He is constantly attempting to activate him, as Messi believes Frenkie is capable of reaching a much higher level. He considers him to be a very intelligent player."
De Jong has played 140 times in all competitions for Xavi Hernandez's Barcelona since joining from Ajax for a fee of £64.6 million in 2019. He has scored 13 goals and helped the Catalan club win the Copa Del Rey in 2020/21.
De Jong is not the only Dutch international set to join United in the near future. Ten Hag's side has also agreed to sign left-back Tyrell Malacia for £13 million, with a potential future add-on fee of up to £15 million.
Following the completion of the deals for the Dutch duo, United are looking for a versatile forward who can play across the front three as the Red Devils look to bolster their attacking line.
With Malacia and De Jong on their way, a number of departures are possible. Dean Henderson, the goalkeeper, has been heavily linked with a loan move to newly promoted Nottingham Forest.
Malacia's arrival is also expected to result in the departures of fellow left-backs Alex Telles and Brandon Williams this summer, with Malacia and Luke Shaw vying for minutes at left-back in the upcoming season.
Andreas Pereira, a midfielder, has also been linked with Premier League clubs Crystal Palace and Fulham. The midfielder is currently on loan at Flamengo in Brazil and will play his final game for the club this week before returning to Old Trafford for preseason.
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