Krishnan Sreekumar
New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag in daily contact with Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong regarding transfer move
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, via Diablos Rojos (h/t Express), incoming new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is in constant contact with Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong in order to convince him of a move to Old Trafford.
The Holland international made the move to Barcelona from Ajax Amsterdam in 2019, after impressing in the middle of the park for the Dutch side. He was part of a team that won the domestic double in the Netherlands the previous season, and also reached the Champions League semi-finals.
ten Hag was his manager back then at Ajax, and now the two could be set for a reunion at Old Trafford ahead of the summer transfer window. The Red Devils are in the market for talented midfielders to reinforce their squad, and the Barca star has been identified as a potential target.
The current crop of midfield options at the club has been inconsistent in their performances, and unable to hold their ground against stronger opposition. With a number of outgoing players in the summer, the squad will be stretched thin, which makes new signings a priority for the side.
Reunited with ten Hag
ten Hag is keen to reunite with the 25-year-old but is having a tough time trying to convince de Jong of a move to United. The manager is said to be calling the Barca star every day as the player is not too keen on leaving the Nou Camp.
The Catalan side’s head coach Xavi Hernandez has talked about wanting to keep the midfielder beyond the summer. Although de Jong has been a regular in the team under Hernandez, the Red Devils and Barcelona are working on a deal to complete his transfer.
Ever since Michael Carrick retired in 2018, the Manchester side has not been able to find an able replacement for him until now. Carrick is a player that kept things ticking and controlled the tempo of the game, but those after him have not lived up to those same standards.
de Jong is a player who has a similar role at Barcelona and is a young player who is yet to hit his peak. A reunion with ten Hag could prove beneficial to the star, helping him reach a whole new level. It remains to be seen if the Dutchman is able to secure de Jong’s signature.
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The midfield at United is stretched thin, with the impending departures of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, and Juan Mata at the end of the season leaving a big hole in the middle of the park. ten Hag needs to fill this gap with talented players.
It does not seem to be an easy task to get hold of de Jong, who does not seem to be keen on leaving his current club. Only time will tell if ten Hag’s daily calls change the midfielder’s mind and become the Dutch boss’ first signing at his new club.
