Aheed Abrar
Manchester United reignite fresh talks with Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong
Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong is back on the radar of Manchester United as the Red Devils have ‘initiated fresh contact’ with the 25-year-old about a transfer, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo via Barca Universal (h/t Manchester Evening News).
The Old Trafford side are once again interested in bringing the Holland international to Manchester. In the recent transfer window, the club attempted to sign the midfielder. However, in the end, a deal failed to materialise.
United pursued De Jong’s signature for a cast period in the summer of 2022. But we then had to switch focus from the 25-year-old and signed Casemiro from Real Madrid instead.
The Brazil international has been brilliant in his short time in Manchester. After struggling to get into the Red Devils’ starting lineup initially, the 30-year-old has cemented his place in Erik ten Hag’s plans.
De Jong has previously been managed by the Dutch manager during his Ajax days. In Amsterdam, the gaffer and the midfielder had a fruitful spell. Then, in 2019, the 25-year-old moved to Barcelona.
The Holland international has become one of the best midfielders in Spain. He has turned into a brilliant box-to-box player. However, at the beginning under Xavi this season, the former Ajax star found it hard to get into the Catalan outfit’s team.
But De Jong has established himself once again in the gaffer’s plans at Barcelona. The 25-year-old also showcased his qualities at the 2022 World Cup and was pivotal for Louis van Gaal’s team in Qatar as they made it to the quarter-finals.
United also signed Christian Eriksen in the recent transfer window. The Denmark international has surprised many with his displays in a red shirt. As a result, the 30-year-old has made the number eight position his own under Ten Hag.
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While Casemiro and Eriksen are world-class talents, they will both turn 31 in February. Thus, in order to plan for the long term, a younger player is evidently required. Thus, it remains to be seen whether the Old Trafford side are able to entice De Jong to Manchester after another attempt.
