Transfer News: Liverpool join race to sign Frenkie de Jong amid Manchester United interest
According to Spanish outlet Sport (h/t Mirror), Liverpool have joined the race to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona amid interest from Manchester United.
United fans went through a saga this summer involving their club and the 25-year-old. Erik ten Hag pursued the midfielder for more than two months and the Manchester-based club are believed to have agreed on a fee of £72 million for the former Ajax man.
However, the Dutch international was reluctant to leave the Spanish club and no move could materialise. United instead signed Casemiro from Real Madrid.
Now, speculations regarding the future of the midfielder are again taking rounds in the media. The 25-year-old has been left on the bench for the past four games by Xavi Hernandez. After the 3-1 El Clasico loss on Sunday (October 16), the midfielder’s tally of games rose to 11 games so far in all competitions but has started in only five of them.
De Jong sees his current contract expire in 2026 and the report adds that the Red Devils are still interested in the Dutchman. They are also believed to have gotten to work to reopen negotiations with Barcelona for the midfielder.
Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen have been in excellent form for the Reds this season. Casemiro too has been performing very well lately. Adding De Jong to this midfield would not help in increasing the quality, but also add depth.
Liverpool have their own problems in the midfield. First-choice players have suffered from injuries so far, while the likes of Naby Keita and James Milner see their contracts expire next summer. Both Jurgen Klopp and Ten Hag have their reasons to go after the midfielder.
More Manchester United News
- Casemiro hails Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for his desire to win, ambition and hard work
- Erik ten Hag tells Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford to be more clinical in front of goal
- Erik ten Hag sent ‘desperate text’ to bring Ajax youngster Brian Brobbey to Manchester United in the summer
It remains to be seen if either of the two clubs makes a move for the Dutch international in January. Every player likes to play as much as possible and if De Jong’s playing time does not improve at the Catalonia club, we could have another saga regarding his transfer in either January or next summer.
