Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong ‘finally keen on Man Utd transfer.. thanks to former El Clasico rival’
BARCELONA star Frenkie de Jong is finally keen on a transfer to Manchester United with the player keen to play alongside a former El Clasico rival, according to reports.
The Red Devils launched a summer bid for De Jong, 25, last year but were unsuccessful in their attempts to reunite the midfielder with his former Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag.
However, following Champions League and Europa League exits, De Jong is now keen to join Man Utd, according to talkSPORT.
De Jong is also interested in the prospect of playing alongside ex-Real Madrid ace Casemiro.
Ten Hag is hopeful Old Trafford’s “feel-good factor” will influence De Jong’s decision.
The player got to witness the Old Trafford atmosphere last week in Barca’s 2-1 Europa League defeat.
Barca’s financial situation is still in a state, which could play into United’s hands.
The Catalan giants are under renewed pressure to reduce their wage bill.
And they’re not able to sign any new players in the summer.
Barca are said to need close to £200million from selling current players if they are to have any chance of entering the transfer market this summer.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
Speaking about De Jong in February, Ten Hag gushed: ‘Frenkie is an incredible player.
“For every club in the whole world, he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality.
“If you can get him in the squad your team will be stronger.
“We (Ajax) had a class in 2019 that was a team with a lot of fascination.
“He brings a lot of fascination and he develops, and in Spain he became even better.
“He’s a fantastic player. He plays out from the back, he always has time and it was a pleasure to work with him.”