Manchester United have been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer.
United are reportedly keen on the Dutchman ahead of their summer recruitment drive, which will be headed by new boss Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils confirmed the appointment of the Dutchman last week. De Jong worked with the current Ajax coach when he was coming through the ranks in Amsterdam and remains highly rated.
Central midfield is an area in which United need to bolster their options ahead of several key departures this term. De Jong has been identified as a candidate, according to reports in the Catalan press, who claim Ten Hag is hoping he can convince his former player to join him in the Premier League.
De Jong has been at Barcelona since moving in the summer of 2019 for €75m (£63m). The Catalans are struggling financially and would welcome a hefty bid for some of their players, but the Dutchman is among those they would be more inclined to keep. De Jong faces competition from the likes of Gavi and Pedri – teenage midfield stars at the Camp Nou.
The presence of that duo alongside the emergence of Nico Gonzalez and continued presence of Sergio Busquets and imminent arrival of Frank Kessie as a free agent from Milan does suggest that De Jong may fall into the rare bracket of player in the Blaugrana’s squad who would command a big market value but is also not entirely dispensable to their squad.
De Jong’s former national team and Barca boss Ronald Koeman has now spoken on the player’s future and has poured cold water on the suggestions that the Catalan club may be tempted to cash-in on the player this year. Koeman – who will return to the Netherlands national team position to replace Louis van Gaal after this year’s World Cup – believes De Jong will remain at his current club.
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Koeman told an interview with Marca, published on Thursday: "Barça don't want to sell Frenkie. He's a great player, a great midfielder. He's gone through some games where he has not been at his level. I do not doubt him, for me he's a permanent fixture with the Netherlands. I hope he gets back to his level."
United are likely to undergo significant squad upheaval this summer with Ten Hag inheriting his former Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek, who may once again play alongside De Jong should their plans come off.
