Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd fears over Chelsea transfer emerge, as Erik ten Hag prepares risky Frenkie de Jong strategy

Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong battling Chelsea ace N'Golo Kante while playing for France

Man Utd are prepared to take a high-risk approach to a Frenkie de Jong transfer, while they’re also conscious of being used by Chelsea over the future of N’Golo Kante, claims a report.

United are determined to revamp their midfield options this summer. Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic will both be off the books very soon. That leaves just Fred and Scott McTominay as their senior, frontline options.

James Garner could yet be given a chance to break into the first-team, while a decision also needs to be made over Andreas Pereira. However, even if one or both are retained next season, a more established midfielder will be signed.

Barcelona and Netherlands ace, Frenkie de Jong, has emerged as Erik ten Hag’s No 1 choice. De Jong is known to Ten Hag through their time at Ajax and would provide class and composure in an area Manchester United have fallen well behind their rivals.

Barcelona are understood to be receptive to a sale if their demands are met. The bigger issue is seemingly convincing the Dutchman to move to Old Trafford. The lack of Champions League football is hindering their appeal.

Reports from Spain have repeatedly insisted an agreement is close. However, that level of progress has not been echoed in the English media.

But according to Goal, Man Utd are prepared to take a high-risk strategy to the saga in the hopes of landing De Jong when all is said and done.

Man Utd hunker down for lengthy pursuit

The outlet state United are preparing for a ‘drawn-out pursuit’ that presumably could span the entirety of the summer.

United will continue to push for a breakthrough and it’s reaffirmed Ten Hag sees him as the ideal man to be the face of his new-look midfield.

Given De Jong is so highly rated by the club, it stands to reason they won’t sign alternatives until De Jong’s future is determined one way or another. That could leave United scrambling for deals in the latter stages of the window if it does indeed drag on.

Manchester United in direct talks with Frenkie De Jong

Manchester United in direct talks with Frenkie De Jong

Manchester United have hope with signing Frenkie De Jong from Barcelona but Champions League is a massive factor

Goal note alternative options who have been linked with a move include Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice and N’Golo Kante.

Regarding the Chelsea ace, United are said to be ‘conscious of being used as leverage’ in Kante’s new contract negotiations with the Blues. That is something that happened to the Red Devils with Sergio Ramos and Real Madrid in 2015.

The 31-year-old has just one year left on his current deal. Goal add negotiations over an extension are ‘due’.

Man Utd correct in Frenkie de Jong approach?

If Ten Hag feels De Jong is the best fit for his system, United should do all they can to land the Dutchman.

Liverpool took a similar approach with Virgil van Dijk in 2017. After their summer approach fell short, the Reds waited six months and wrapped up an agreement in January rather than signing an inferior option when their initial approach failed.

However, that approach is not without risk, especially with alternative targets moving off the market.

Another midfielder United had been linked with moving for was Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni. However, the French destroyer is now on course for a blockbuster switch to Real Madrid.