Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by
As always with a summer transfer window there are names banded about that gain traction. One seems to be the transfer of Frenkie De Jong to Manchester United from Barcelona. With negotiations seemingly carrying on all summer, will there be any end to this whether that be De Jong moving or staying with the Catalan club?
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Who is De Jong?
Frenkie De Jong is a Dutch international footballer who was part of the Ajax side that famously powered through to the semi finals in 2018/19 season. From that season and the promise the young Dutch man showed before, Barcelona stumped up an initial €75 million and planned on making him their midfield maestro.
De Jong can dribble, pass calmly and break down attacks. He is seemingly the complete midfielder and it is no wonder that the new Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag wants to link up with him once again.
Why are Manchester United so keen?
United are so keen to add De Jong to their ranks because it is the position where they have struggled to nail down for a while. It is more important given that ten Hag is looking at either playing a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3, having the right midfielders is vital.
De Jong would slot in easily as part of the two in front of the defence or even as the holding midfielder of a three. With ten Hag having previously worked with De Jong at Ajax to great success , the pair won the double together in 2018/19. De Jong, alongside De Light, were the real standouts of that Ajax side; it comes as no surprise that he wants a reunion.
De Jong’s quality, which United have lacked in recent years, is ball retention. He does not give it away stupidly and will keep the ball calmly whether that be on the edge of the opposition box or his own.
Why has it dragged on all summer?
There has been so much speculation about this move that it has now become boring yet it will be a real intention move from United who are looking to establish themselves as one of Europe’s big boys once again.
It is not as simple as the computer game Football Manager as there are a lot more parties involved in real life. However, United are trying to learn from past mistakes and manage this properly. Having been held ransom in the past with transfers it is vital that their marquee summer signing is done in the right way.
Alongside trying to reach an agreement with Barcelona and De Jong’s agent there is the ongoing financial issue of Barcelona. With them needing to sell in order to fund other transfers and their own player’s wages, they have decided to sell De Jong as they see this as the right way to go. However, De Jong is reportedly owed around €17 million in wages and is looking at how this can be resolved.
It has also been speculated that De Jong is reluctant to move to Manchester United because they are not in the Champions League but Barcelona are. It is still very much in the air and it has driven people using sport betting apps insane as they are unsure how to bet on this transfer.
Will it happen?
With development in the transfer suggesting that an agreement has finally been made with Barcelona, United should be able to do enough to convince De Jong to reunite with ten Hag (and Donny van de Beek).
WIll this happen soon? It is hard to say as its dragged on for a while but United fans will be hoping to see him lined up with the squad against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday 7th August
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