- Manchester United got here agonisingly near signing the midfielder in 2022
- Ten Hag managed De Jong for 2 seasons at Ajax, the place they gained the double
- CHRIS SUTTON: Erik ten Hag remains to be on trial. He wants greater than gradual enchancment this season to maintain his job – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Frenkie de Jong is nearer than ever to a Barcelona exit, having grown discontent with the present state of affairs on the membership, in line with studies.
The 26-year-old was closely linked with a transfer to Manchester United in 2022, as his former Ajax supervisor Erik ten Hag set about constructing his squad upon his Old Trafford arrival.
United finally made a £70m bid for him and a deal was practically 90 per cent full. However, regardless of sending membership representatives out to Spain, United have been unable to formalise a deal, with De Jong admitting that he needed to remain on the LaLiga outfit.
Now 18 months later, the Netherlands worldwide seems to be able to depart the Spanish membership as they proceed to underwhelm on and off the pitch.
According to Relevo, the defensive midfielder’s state of affairs this summer time might be utterly completely different, with there now being a willingness from each the participant and membership to half methods.
Frenkie De Jong is reportedly able to name time on his Barcelona profession, having tried so laborious to remain in 2022
Erik ten Hag was decided to usher in the defensive midfielder when he arrived on the membership in 2022
De Jong is reportedly disillusioned with the membership’s present place and believes expectations haven’t been met, notably on the subject of difficult for the Champions League.
Barcelona sit third in LaLiga, although there is no such thing as a doubt their marketing campaign has been a under par. The poor run of outcomes noticed Xavi announce that he’ll go away the membership on the finish of the season.
De Jong has not been exempt from these on-field failures. He has made 15 appearances within the league this time period however has been removed from the model of himself that prompted a clamour for his companies in 2019
The membership’s dire monetary woes additionally persist, with gamers like De Jong nonetheless receiving excellent wages that had been deferred from much more making an attempt financial occasions.
All of this reportedly equates to a willingness from the membership’s hierarchy to money in on a participant that also retains a excessive market worth.
A summer time transfer to United would see De Jong lastly reunite along with his outdated Ajax boss. The pair labored collectively from 2017-19, the place they gained the home double and reached a Champions League semi closing in 2019.
Ten Hag is an enormous fan of De Jong after beforehand managing him after they have been at Ajax
Casemiro might be on his manner out of Manchester United on the finish of the season having struggled to hit the shape he confirmed in his debut marketing campaign
United’s curiosity in De Jong persevered past their failed efforts in 2022 as they reiterated their need to signal the midfielder final yr. De Jong additionally reportedly informed Ten Hag that he needed to hitch the membership.
After failing to land De Jong, United spent £60m to amass Casemiro from Real Madrid. The veteran midfielder performed an integral half within the Red Devils’ squad final time period as they claimed the Carabao Cup and secured a prime 4 end.
But this season Casemiro’s struggles for type and health have paved the best way for his exit this summer time. In December, Mail Sport revealed that he was among the many gamers former soccer director John Murtough mentioned with representatives of the Saudi Pro League in Riyadh.