Krishnan Sreekumar
Barcelona open to selling Frenkie de Jong after Manchester United target proves to be unconvincing of ‘leadership’
According to Spanish outlet AS (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United have been provided with a transfer boost in their attempt to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, as the Spanish club is open to selling the star after he failed to win over manager Xavi Hernandez on his leadership skills.
de Jong has been a regular feature in Barca’s midfield ever since his move from Ajax in 2019, impressing in the middle of the park for the Spanish giants. Despite a change in managers at the Nou Camp, he has continued to be first-pick under his new bosses.
Hernandez is currently in charge of the Catalan club, which has seen a revival since the turn of the new year. The former player has come in and implemented his style of play on the team, and de Jong has often been at the heart of his system.
United are keen to sign the 24-year-old in the summer as they search for midfield reinforcements, and with the impending arrival of Erik ten Hag – who coached the player at Ajax – this story may just get even more interesting.
In all honesty, United can use a player who is a good passer of the ball and can hold his own in the defence. de Jong is one of the classiest midfielders in Spain right now and a move for him would certainly be a smart one by the Manchester-based side.
Balance the books through de Jong sale
The Red Devils may be one step closer to snapping up the Holland international, as the La Liga club are looking to sell some players in order to balance their books. They are cash-strapped at the moment, and although Hernandez is a huge admirer of the midfielder, they are open to selling de Jong at the end of the season for £58m.
The club legend-turned-manager is said to be unconvinced by the former Ajax star’s leadership on the pitch, as Hernandez looks to take a new generation of Barcelona players forward. With the Nou Camp outfit wrapping up a deal for Valencia ace Carlos Soler, they will first be required to make some room in the first-team squad to accommodate their new signing, and de Jong could be the one to be left out.
The news about Hernandez being unconvinced by de Jong’s leadership is certainly curious, given that the midfielder was a crucial part of the Ajax team that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.
The Dutchman was seen handing out instructions to his teammates during games and taking control of the midfield under ten Hag, as a young Amsterdam side earned plaudits from around the footballing world for their incredible journey in Europe.
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However, Barcelona’s need for funds given their dire financial situation can be understood, and raising a quality player like de Jong could help them earn some much-needed cash to run the club. United could be one of the teams that can help out their Spanish counterpart by taking the midfielder off their hands.
The thought of a possible reunion between de Jong, ten Hag, and Donny van de Beek at Old Trafford will excite Red Devils fans and make them hopeful of the trio repeating their heroics from their time at Ajax. However, there is nothing concrete to suggest that the Manchester side has made a move for the Barcelona man at the moment, nor is there certainty about van de Beek’s future in the Premier League.
