Manchester United and Erik ten Hag are set to return for Frenkie de Jong this summer as they look to bolster their midfield ranks, despite being told that neither Barcelona nor the player wants the move to go through.
The Red Devils attempted to sign De Jong, who worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, for much of last summer. It seemed as though they had agreed a deal with Barcelona for the Dutchman, but the player himself did not want to leave Camp Nou, and resisted any attempts by the club and fans to change his mind.
It led to United having to pivot, and ultimately signing Casemiro from Real Madrid in the dying days of the transfer window. The 31-year-old has since proved a revelation at Old Trafford, helping the side to their first silverware of Ten Hag’s reign and an impressive third place in the Premier League.
But there is midfield change coming to Manchester this summer. Christian Eriksen is likely to be phased out of the starting XI, while Marcel Sabitzer is on loan from Bayern Munich and both Fred and Scott McTominay face uncertain futures at Old Trafford.
And, as per Spanish sources, United are once again expected to be lining up a move for De Jong, though they add that “at Barça they do not consider listening to any offer”, while De Jong himself is once again keen to remain in Catalonia.
It comes despite news that Barcelona will need to raise around £170m in sales and salary reductions in order to take any part in the summer transfer window, with La Liga president Javier Tebas confirming the news on Thursday.
