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La Liga club ‘secretly’ remain keen to push star midfielder towards signing for Manchester United

Transfer News: Frenkie de Jong given transfer ‘ultimatum' by Manchester United.
Transfer News: Frenkie de Jong given transfer ‘ultimatum' by Manchester United. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Barcelona “secretly” remain interested in pushing Frenkie de Jong to join Manchester United

According to the Spanish news source AS (h/t The Mirror), Barcelona “secretly” remain interested in pushing Frenkie de Jong to join Manchester United in this summer transfer window. The former has publicly declared that he is not in the market, but that is not the case going by this update.

Man United have reached an agreement with Barca for de Jong’s sale for an initial fee of £56.2million. Erik ten Hag also played his part by directly contacting him to make a case of a move to Old Trafford. But it was recently claimed that the midfielder has no plans of leaving Camp Nou as of now.

With the Catalans also publicly stating that they have no intentions to sell de Jong, doubts began to creep in about this pursuit. However, it is now said that the Blaugrana side still wants to part ways with the Dutch superstar, but no one at the club is looking to take responsibility for the transfer.

Barcelona "secretly" remain interested in pushing Frenkie de Jong to join Manchester United. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona and Man United have an agreement in principle for Frenkie de Jong. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

De Jong to Man Utd still on?

This latest news would be a relief for the supporters as this saga has dragged on for too long at this point. However, one might wonder how would a transfer take place if the 25-year-old does not intend to leave the La Liga heavyweights ahead of the upcoming season.

That being said, it has now been stated that even Xavi Hernandez has doubts about the former Ajax man and his ability to control matches. That would certainly favour us, as the relationship between the Spanish giants and de Jong could get awry should they try to push him out.

Hence, that certainly would increase the chances of de Jong joining us, although the one concerning factor is whether he would have enough motivation to play a part under ten Hag’s system. Then again, perhaps the prospect of playing in his natural role, unlike in Spain, could shift things in our favour.

Xavi Hernandez has doubts about Frenkie de Jong's ability to control matches. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Xavi Hernandez has doubts about Frenkie de Jong’s ability to control matches. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

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In fact, de Jong has already been assured that he would be a guaranteed starter at Carrington while playing a similar role to what he did back in the Netherlands. That means the holding midfielder would be utilised as the “conductor of the orchestra” as he would start the plays from the midfield, unlike the current situation in Barcelona.

Losing out on de Jong now would be a difficult pill to swallow, looking at the amount of time and effort we have spent pursuing him this summer. As such, let’s hope that there will be an end to this saga shortly, and a transfer will be finalised at the earliest.

Written by Rijo Sam Daniel

A football enthusiast who is madly in love with the game

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