Manchester United reportedly closing in on a deal for Frenkie de Jong

Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a deal to seal a transfer for FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.

Since Erik ten Hag became manager at the club in 2022, it wouldn’t be a summer unless the side from The Theatre of Dreams were linked to the Dutch midfielder.

United desperately need to add to their midfield options once again as there is uncertainty over the future of Scott McTominay who Fulham have showed serious interest in and are expected to make an improved second offer for.

Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are two more players whose future is far from secure at the club beyond this summer.

As a consequence, Ten Hag’s team have been locked in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain for Manuel Ugarte and are also said to hold an interest in players such as Martin Zubimendi and Youssouf Fofana.

Adrien Rabiot is also a long term target, but a recent report from Spain relayed by football365 states that “Man Utd have ‘resumed talks’ to finally get a deal over the line for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.”

It has been suggested that “Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag and Barcelona president Joan Laporta have ‘closed the deal’ for the Netherlands” international, although this could be an inaccurate translation as the original text might better be translated as “are closing a deal” rather than “have closed” one.

The report does not detail how much has been agreed but it is assured that it is more than £67 million and that there is a “complete understanding between the two parties involved”.

As always has been the case, it is stated that despite sporting director Deco “totally willing to allow him to leave”, the Dutchman is still very unsure of a move to the Premier League.

United famously agreed a deal for De Jong back in 2022 and subsequently spent all summer hoping that they could convince him to move to England. They could not.

The Old Trafford side are interested in bringing in former Ajax players Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt this summer, to go alongside the likes of Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Antony who are already at the club.

Nonetheless, with United needing to sell to buy and the clear target being Manuel Ugarte, perhaps the reports are a little fanciful and more wishful thinking from the Spanish side’s perspective, as ridding themselves of De Jong’s mammoth wages would do wonders for their financial issues.

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