After Erik ten Hag was appointed as the manager of Manchester United, Frenkie De Jong has been a prime target in this summer’s transfer window.
De Jong is someone the new Red Devils chief knows well, having selected his fellow countryman 59 times during his Ajax reign.
Ten Hag is looking to return Manchester United to their former glory days and recruiting de Jong, who has won trophies in his homeland as well as during his time at Barcelona, could go a long way towards achieving that goal.
It’s reported that Ten Hag’s charges have agreed to pay an initial fee of £63million, but add-ons could see an additional £8.47 million coughed up.
However, the Red Devils they have been left frustrated in their efforts to recruit de Jong so far as Spanish sources have claimed the 25-year-old has no interest in heading to the Premier League, although he would be open to joining reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
It comes after it was previously revealed that the Manchester United transfer target is desperate to remain on Barcelona’s books and only a switch to a Champions League club would be enough to tempt de Jong away.
One concern many United fans have had is whether or not the midfielder wants to move to Old Trafford – with the club not having qualified for the Champions League.
It was reported last week that the two clubs had agreed on a deal in principle to bring De Jong to Manchester. However, there remain some issues such as personal terms and the ongoing financial issues between the player and the Spanish giants. The playmaker is owed millions in deferred wages by his club.
Despite the aforementioned concerns around the 25-year-old’s motives this transfer window, Sky Sports has reported that De Jong has intimated to Ten Hag that he does want the move.
Reddy indicates: “Everything we’re hearing is that he’s the priority target and will do everything possible to get it over the line. It’s not in United’s hands though.”
She finished: “A club doesn’t get so far in a negotiations process if they don’t know whether the player wants to come. De Jong has intimated it to Ten Hag. Now, it’s about Frenkie and Barça resolving their issues in the financial sense.”
