Mundo Deportivo report Barcelona were desperate to get Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United during the summer, where Erik ten Hag was waiting for the midfielder ‘with open arms’.
According to the Catalan newspaper, Barca tried to get De Jong to Old Trafford ‘by land, air and sea’, and were hugely keen on seeing the back of him.
As has been well documented, that was largely down to his wages and the issues with the club’s accounts. As well as that, there was a feeling the Dutchman hadn’t really fulfilled the promise he’d shown which made Barcelona fight so hard to sign him in the first place.
The first weeks of the season were difficult for De Jong, with Xavi Hernandez not fully counting on him, and there being something of a hangover from his failed move to Manchester United.
Initially, eyes were turned towards the winter window in the hope the move could come alive again, or that potentially he’d move to somewhere like Chelsea instead.
Mundo Deportivo say that’s all now changed, and a superb performance against Villarreal was followed by another good game against Athletic Club Bilbao.
Now, Barcelona, the club’s fans and the Catalan midfielder are learning to love De Jong again.
However, should Manchester United return with their €80m then this new found calmness could easily be tested.
