Man Utd in dreamland after incredible U-turn puts superstar signing within Ten Hag’s grasp
Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd is ‘back on’ with the biggest barrier that prevented a summer move now crumbling, while a report stated the thought of playing alongside one Red Devil in particular is enticing the Dutchman.
De Jong, 25, was Manchester United’s primary transfer target last summer. The Red Devils chased the Barcelona maestro month after month and even forged an agreement with Xavi’s side. Per the Athletic, a deal worth €85m (approx. £75m) was struck.
Barcelona were more than willing to sell given the hefty fee De Jong would generate. However, emboldened by the issue of unpaid wages deferred during the Covid-19 pandemic, De Jong dug his heels in and refused to move under any circumstance.
United explored a move for Adrien Rabiot of Juventus once pulling the plug on De Jong. Once Rabiot’s mother – who doubles up as her son’s agent – priced Adrien out of a move, United turned to plan C.
Casemiro was the man in question and a £70m move (including future add-ons) quickly took shape. Given the Brazilian’s incredible impact at Old Trafford thus far, United will be overjoyed at how things panned out.
However, speculation Ten Hag still sought to bring fellow Dutchman De Jong to Manchester never went away.
Indeed, the Manchester Evening News recently put De Jong on a two-man shortlist of potential midfield buys in the summer. The other is Jude Bellingham.
Now, a massively encouraging update from talkSPORT has revealed Ten Hag’s dream may yet become a reality.
Casemiro can help Man Utd sign De Jong
The outlet state De Jong to Man Utd is ‘back on’ with the player seemingly performing a U-turn on the idea of joining the English giant.
Two factors are understood to be in play in that regard. The first is United’s remarkable turnaround under Ten Hag, something De Jong was able to see up close and personal after United recently dumped Barca out of the Europa League.
The second reason, per talkSPORT, stems from De Jong being attracted to the idea of forming an all-star midfield pairing with Casemiro.
Christian Eriksen may have a thing or two to say about that when returning from his ankle injury. However, given Ten Hag’s insistence on pursuing De Jong so fiercely, it stands to reason he’d walk straight into United’s eleven if signed.
talkSPORT concluded by reaffirming the MEN’s claim that De Jong is indeed among United’s ‘top summer targets’.
And with the only barrier to a move last summer now crumbling (De Jong’s refusal to move), Ten Hag may yet get his ideal transfer 12 months later than expected.
