Paul Pogba replacement? 80m euro Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United '95%' likely to happen

Shocking news has emerged from Barcelona sources, suggesting that a move to Manchester United for Blaugrana midfield star Frenkie de Jong is almost complete ahead of the summer transfer window.

De Jong has struggled at times at the Camp Nou since his move from Ajax in 2019, but has still been a mainstay in the midfield of the Catalan club, racking up 30 La Liga appearances this season alone, and having turned out in red and blue a total of 138 times to date.

He may not do so for much longer, however, if the generally reliable Gerard Romero is to be believed.

While he warns that the situation may yet change, as of mid-May, there is a 95% chance of a deal being struck to send de Jong to the Premier League and Old Trafford, with the reasons for the sale apparently solely economic.

'With a 95% probability, Frenkie De Jong will be transferred to Manchester United. It is a pure economic issue. Barça needs to sell a player who has not been top at the club', Romero claims.

'At the club they are clear that if he continues for one more season and the player does not explode, he will lose value and Barça will lose money.'

Any deal would be struck for a fee between 70 and 80 million euros, it is added.

A happy reunion?

Should a move go through, as it now seems likely to, it would reunite the midfielder with incoming boss Erik ten Hag, under whom the 24-year-old made his name at Ajax. It would also massively add to the quality in the Red Devils' midfield, with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic on their way out leaving just Fred and Scott McTominay as options in the middle of the pitch.

A deal would make sense for Barcelona, too, with the club in dire need of funds and de Jong one of their most expensive assets. While they would not be happy to lose him, the emergence of Pedri and Gavi in successive seasons would somewhat soften the blow in midfield.

Bringing de Jong to Old Trafford would certainly be a statement signing for ten Hag.

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