The conclusion of MANCHESTER UNITED's summer 2022 transfer window may be uncomfortably familiar to that of nine years ago.
The likelihood that Manchester United's protracted summer pursuit of Frenkie de Jong will fail to materialize grows by the day. But whereas many anticipated that disappointment to result from him staying at Barcelona, Erik ten Hag may experience heartache as a result of Chelsea's emergence as a serious candidate for his signing.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea and Barcelona have begun formal negotiations with the intention of signing De Jong. They are certain that they can recruit the 25-year-old midfielder before United does since they are offering him Champions League play and a London address.
Throughout the crisis, Spanish reports have insisted that De Jong prefers to stay at Barcelona even though he hasn't ruled out a move to Old Trafford. However, as they look to balance their books while facing financial constraints, the La Liga giants' ambition to recruit Bernardo Silva depends on the Dutchman's exit.
The main obstacle for United has been De Jong's reluctance to leave the Nou Camp, which is partially attributable to the fact that he is owed between £14 million and £17 million in deferred wage payments. He is expected to be more receptive to Chelsea's offer if they match the first £63 million amount that Manchester United have agreed to pay for his talents.
The transfer failure of Ed Woodward cannot be mirrored by John Murtough. (Photo)
Despite Xavi Hernandez's desire to keep him on the team, Barcelona's spend-happy management appears to be the main offender in attempts to manufacture a move away. The latter piece of information alone brings back eerie memories of the summer of 2013, which ultimately served as the template for Ed Woodward's disastrous nine-year tenure as United's head of recruitment.
When Tito Vilanova and Tata Martino took over as manager of Barca nine years ago, club president Sandro Rosell wanted to sell a certain player. The player himself, meanwhile, was reluctant to depart from Barcelona, his ideal club, where his family had moved. Naturally, I'm talking about Cesc Fabregas. Does this sound familiar?
Incredible parallels can be seen between United's chase of De Jong almost a decade later and their ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Marouane Fellaini that summer, which gave new manager David Moyes Marouane Fellaini as his sole acquisition. The midfield cannot be neglected once more as Ten Hag begins his first season as manager, especially in light of Nemanja Matic's departure in the summer.
Frenkie de Jong is a player Erik ten Hag is eager to sign. (Photo)
John Murtough must work with the Dutchman and the incoming chief executive, Richard Arnold, to streamline United's hiring process and undo the mistakes made during Woodward's administration. Additionally, it would be a bad start to spend the entire summer prioritizing the pursuit of a £63 million player just to close the window empty-handed.
Whether De Jong plays or not, the Red Devils need to find a replacement in the midfield if he stays at Barcelona or, worst yet, decides to transfer to west London. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Youri Tielemans, and Ruben Neves are still being linked to a move to Old Trafford.
But Ten Hag's desire for De Jong over every other transfer target this summer shows how important he is to the intentions of his former coach. Additionally, failing to sign a Fabregas in favor of a Fellaini could create issues in the future.
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