Frenkie de Jong has given Manchester United a major boost, with a move to Old Trafford now appealing to the Dutchman. According to Laurie Whitwell, De Jong is now open to joining up with Eric ten Hag at Old Trafford, meaning the biggest obstacle of this deal – convincing the player to join a team with no Champions League football – has now been overcome.
Frenkie de Jong Hands Major Boost to Manchester United as They Overcome Biggest Transfer Obstacle
Why This Is a Major Turning Point
Without the promise of Champions League football next season, United are already some way behind their transfer competition this summer.
It appears that they have lost the race for Darwin Nunez to Liverpool, a team who will next campaign be playing in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, but Eric ten Hag is desperate for the same not to occur in his pursuit of De Jong. The Dutch midfielder was previously unsure about joining the Red Devils, but that now seems to have changed.
With the player now convinced, all that remains is for United to agree on personal terms with him and a fee with Barcelona. The former should be fairly straightforward, but the latter could be a little more complex.
🧵 THREAD 🧵
As much as everyone wants us to sign a "proper CDM", Frenkie de Jong is arguably a better fit for #MUFC right now…
I'll explain. pic.twitter.com/PDtyNhQo01
— Busby Scout 🔴🏴 (@Busby_UTD) June 9, 2022
Barcelona are desperate to sell so that they can raise funds, and the €80 million being quoted is a reduced price, but United are still looking to go lower. Negotiations are underway between the two parties as they look for a deal that suits everyone involved.
Should the transfer be completed this summer, it would be a massive move for Ten Hag. The Dutch boss has previously worked with his compatriot at Ajax, and as such, De Jong will be familiar with how United will be set up next season. He will also represent a big step forwards in the centre of midfield, an area in which the Manchester side have struggled for a number of years.
