Manchester United are increasingly confident of signing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to reports. United have pursued a deal for the 25-year-old this summer and there are now suggestions that a huge breakthrough has been made.
Up until this point, the general consensus has been that should De Jong be forced to leave Barcelona this summer, he would prefer to join a club in the Champions League.
That was disregarded earlier on Friday when it was reported that De Jong has privately indicated that a move to United was appealing. Those suggestions have now been corroborated, with talkSPORT providing the latest update on the Netherlands international.
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As per the report, United are now growing increasingly confident of landing the midfielder this summer. De Jong has reportedly given the green light over a move to Old Trafford and the club have now stepped up negotiations to sign him.
Erik ten Hag, who worked with De Jong for 18 months at Ajax, has made him his top target and United hope to conclude a deal swiftly.
SN’s verdict…
Should United be able to get this deal over the line, it will be seen as a massive coup for Ten Hag. United’s midfield has been a cause for concern for several years now and De Jong instantly improves the team. United lack De Jong’s profile in midfield, with no player able to pick up the ball and drive the team forward.
There has also been a shift in De Jong’s stance, with previous reports now seemingly disregarded. Not qualifying for the Champions League was disappointing but De Jong’s supposed change of pace could vouch for the plan Ten Hag has laid out.
The 53-year-old has already begun working and will meet with his new players at the end of this month, with pre-season starting on June 27.