Watch: Journalist provides update on Man Utd & Frenkie de Jong saga
Manchester United have been trying to sign Frenkie de Jong for the entire duration of the summer transfer window and Sky Sports News are reporting they’re not willing to give up the chase for the Barcelona midfielder despite a number of recent setbacks.
De Jong has been identified as Erik ten Hag’s main transfer target during his first summer as United manager but there has been little progress on the deal.
It was claimed by Spanish media that the midfielder had told Ten Hag he wouldn’t be moving to Old Trafford, while it was also reported the Netherlands international had told team-mates of his desire to stay at his current club.
But there have been conflicting reports that De Jong is actually prepared to join United and nobody really knows what will happen next in this summer’s longest transfer saga.
Speaking on Sky Sports News on Thursday afternoon, respected journalist Dharmesh Sheth told viewers: “Manchester United are not giving up on the signing of De Jong. There remains a belief that a deal can still be done between the two clubs.
“We’ve been saying this for the last few weeks; United remain comfortable with their broad agreement with Barcelona worth £72million, including add-ons, for De Jong.
“You’d think United would have their own private deadline for getting this deal done and they do have other midfield targets. I’m told they’re keeping those other targets ‘warm’, but they maintain that a deal for De Jong can be done.
“But this deal is proving to be incredibly problematic and that’s down to the issues De Jong has with Barcelona. While their public stance has been that De Jong isn’t for sale, the issue of his deferred wages needs to be solved.”
And United’s cause is being helped by what’s happening on and off the pitch over at Barcelona. The Catalan giants have snapped up Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, who scored a cracker in their friendly victory over Real Madrid, from Bayern Munich and Leeds respectively.
And they’ve also secured the arrivals of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie while tying Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto down to new contracts. Barcelona need funds to register all of these players, which is why they’re apparently eager to sell De Jong this summer.
United plan on building their midfield around the 25-year-old, especially after the departures of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
Yet whether that’s enough to convince De Jong it would be in his best interests to join the Red Devils remains to be seen. But this transfer saga is set to keep on running…
Manchester United are NOT giving up on signing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong. 🇳🇱
[via @skysports_sheth]. pic.twitter.com/yJHVQ9696s
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 28, 2022
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