Manchester United prioritising Frenkie de Jong swoop

Barcelona midfield maestro Frenkie de Jong is reportedly a priority target for Manchester United heading into the summer transfer window.

According to reputed Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, as relayed by Barca Universal, Erik ten Hag will prioritise the signing of Frenkie de Jong upon arriving at Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window. And the Red Devils could offer a part-exchange deal to land Barcelona’s midfield maestro.

Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona from Ajax in July 2019 and has since been one of the most reliable performers for the Blaugrana over the last three years. The Dutch international has become a pivotal figure for Barcelona in the ongoing season after some initial struggles under Xavi Hernandez.

To date, the 24-year-old midfield maestro has turned out 137 times for Barcelona, chipping in with 13 goals and 17 assists in the process. But recent reports have suggested that Barcelona could look to cash in on de Jong to balance their books and fund transfers in the summer. Such a development has captured the attention of Manchester United.

The interest from Manchester United is hardly surprising, considering de Jong first rose to prominence under the tutelage of incoming manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax. The Dutch tactician is eager to reunite with the Barcelona midfield maestro in the summer transfer window, prompting Manchester United to prioritise his acquisition.

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Manchester United will lose Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic as free agents in the summer transfer window, forcing them to delve into the market for midfield reinforcements. But in de Jong, the Red Devils can land a one-stop solution due to his ability to reprise different roles in the middle of the park.

Signing only one midfielder in de Jong could also enable Manchester United to promote promising youngster James Garner. Recent reports have claimed that de Jong is considering leaving Barcelona, but Gerard Romero has refuted such suggestions. However, Manchester United could offer a part-exchange deal involving Harry Maguire, Alex Telles or Marcus Rashford to land de Jong.

Also Read: Three Ajax players that Erik ten Hag should sign at Manchester United

While the Catalan giants need players in the positions those players play in, they are only appealed by the prospect of signing either Scott McTominay or Anthony Elanga. So Manchester United’s original plan for a part-exchange deal might not bear fruit. But with de Jong keen on remaining in Barcelona, the Premier League heavyweights will unlikely reunite ten Hag with his former protege.