Aheed Abrar
Barcelona deem Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong ‘untouchable’
Frenkie de Jong, who Manchester United have been linked with ahead of the upcoming transfer window, has been deemed ‘untouchable’ by Barcelona, according to Spanish outlet Sport (h/t Manchester Evening News).
In the summer of 2022, the Red Devils pursued the Holland international’s signature. Erik ten Hag was keen about reuniting with his former Ajax Amsterdam star. To that end, the Old Trafford side had struck a deal with the Blaugrana, but the midfielder was not willing to move.
For the upcoming transfer window, the 25-year-old is once again on the Manchester-based club’s radar. A midfielder is one of our key priorities, along with acquiring a number nine.
Barcelona have performed a review of their squad. The Spanish giants need to part ways with some of their stars in order to balance their books. However, the sale of De Jong, along with Pedri and Ronald Araujo, is out of the question.
The Holland international signed for the Blaugrana in the summer of 2019 from Ajax. Since then, the midfielder has been a regular member of the La Liga outfit’s starting lineup.
However, initially, with the appointment of Xavi in the Camp Nou side’s dugout, the 25-year-old lost a bit of influence in the team. However, he has become a pivotal player for them once again with some impressive displays over the last few months.
United ended up signing Casemiro in the summer of 2022 to bolster the middle of the park. Along with the Brazilian, Christian Eriksen has been the gaffer’s preferred option this season in the number eight position.
However, the Danish national has been unavailable for some time now. In his absence, none of the other midfielders on the bench have been able to fill the 31-year-old’s void in the lineup.
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While De Jong is a quality player, it would not be wise to waste time once again pursuing him. Instead, Marcel Sabitzer has done well on loan from Bayern Munich. It would be wise for us to focus on acquiring the Austrian’s services next summer.
