For the past month or so, there’s been repeated claims of Manchester United interest in Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
To recap what has been said so far, Erik ten Hag is keen to reunite with his former player at Old Trafford. The La Liga side are willing to sacrifice the midfielder since they need to raise funds to improve their economic conditions.
De Jong’s performances have not been consistent since he arrived at the club. This, plus the options Xavi Hernández’s side will have in the middle of the pitch next term, has convinced them to sell the 25-year-old to Manchester United.
Two days ago, Sport reported the Premier League side have issued an ‘ultimatum’ to the Netherlands international over making a move to Old Trafford.
Journalist Oriol Domènech has now provided a fresh update on this case during Esport3‘s Onze, late on Friday. He claims Manchester United ‘would accept the price’ the La Liga side are asking for the player.
‘At first’, De Jong was ‘unwilling to listen to offers’ because he wasn’t willing to join a club that will not feature in the Champions League next season.
During the calls, Ten Hag ‘explained the project’ at Manchester United, and ‘little by little the Dutchman took a closer look at the operation’. For now, Domènech, adds De Jong is ‘closer to rejecting’ the possible move to the Premier League side, despite the temptstion.
Ten Hag’s side are ready to meet the fee requested by Barcelona and the two clubs are also in talks to reach an agreement. However, the ‘sale of De Jong to Manchester United is in the hands of the player’.
De Jong slowly starting to take a closer look at the project after initially refusing to accept a move may give hope to Manchester United. If Ten Hag can convince the former Ajax star, then a deal is there to be sealed.
