KEY POINTS
- Frenkie de Jong has a contract with Barca until 2026
- He was heavily linked with Man Utd throughout the 2022 summer
- However, de Jong had refused to leave Barcelona back then
FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is reportedly keen to join Manchester United either in the underway winter window or the subsequent summer market.
De Jong has had a phone call with Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and has informed the Dutch manager of his desire to join the Red Devils, reported Spanish outlet Fichajes.
The Barcelona midfielder was heavily linked with Manchester United throughout the 2022 summer window, with the Premier League club making several offers for the player. However, the deal did not go through as De Jong refused to leave Barcelona. Even the Catalan club was eager to offload De Jong last summer as the Netherlands national’s sale would have helped them amid their financial crisis.
The Catalans spent around $91 million in signing De Jong in 2019. Since the player’s current contract is until 2026, Barcelona could have demanded a big fee from Manchester United, who would have agreed to the same considering the player was one of Ten Hag’s priority targets in the 2022 summer window.
Now that Xavi Hernandez’s side is doing OK in the 2022-23 season, it seems highly unlikely that Barcelona will agree to weaken their squad midway through the campaign and let a key player leave. Therefore, De Jong has “aroused anger” at the Camp Nou club for changing his mind about his future, according to Teamtalk.
Meanwhile, signing De Jong in the underway winter market will benefit Manchester United. The Dutchman would be a sensational addition as he could partner the Brazilian international midfielder Casemiro at the heart of Manchester United’s midfield.
De Jong would be a major upgrade on players like Scott McTominay and Fred. The Red Devils will be hoping to secure Champions League qualification and challenge for the major trophies. With Tottenham’s latest 2-0 loss to Aston Villa, Manchester United have elevated to the top four in the 2022-23 Premier League table. With 32 points from 16 games, the Red Devils are placed fourth and are just two points behind third-placed Newcastle United. The Old Trafford side has played a game less than Newcastle.
A signing like De Jong could spur Ten Hag’s side for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.
Manchester United’s next game is a home league fixture on Wednesday against Bournemouth.
