Barcelona are still trying to push Frenkie de Jong out of the club.
On the latest episode of the Strettycast, we had editor of Football Epsana, Alan Feehely, on to discuss Barcelona’s shambolic financial situation. He also shared offered the Spanish perspective on Frenkie de Jong’s potential summer transfer to Manchester United.
From what we know for certain, Erik ten Hag wants to form a reunion with his former Ajax midfielder at Old Trafford. The Netherlands international would be given a key role in his new United side and is seen as an essential signing before deadline day.
The problem is there remains uncertainty over whether De Jong actually wants to join United.
A fresh update from Catalan journalist Helena Condis claims Barcelona are confident De Jong will leave the club this summer. She adds that Chelsea are interested in signing the 25-year-old, while the La Liga giants are obsessed with Man City playmaker Bernardo Silva.
💥 SALIDAS, lo conté hace 4 días en @partidazocope @tjcope
👉@DeJongFrenkie21: El Barça confía en que acabará saliendo (Chelsea también lo quiere). La obsesión es Bernardo Silva. No tiran la toalla.
👉A @Memphis le dijeron que NO tiene sitio pero él quiere la carta de libertad…— Helena Condis Edo (@HelenaCondis) July 23, 2022
Chelsea could step up their efforts to sign De Jong if Barcelona win the race to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde (via Sky Sports) because that could free up more money for Thomas Tuchel to spend this summer.
We could certainly do without that since Chelsea can offer Champions League football, but De Jong also has that relationship with Ten Hag which could work out in our favour.
SN’s verdict
I think this comes as a boost to United more than Chelsea because we are already at an advanced stage to agree a deal to sign De Jong as there is an already an agreement in place with Barcelona.
Moreover, I refuse to believe that United would spend over eight-weeks chasing a player, who hasn’t given assurances behind the scenes. We can’t be naive enough to think Ten Hag hasn’t had a chat with him over the summer, right?
Dare I say I think we’ll get De Jong this summer?
If we don’t sign De Jong then not just Man U Ten Hag will look stupid and that won’t go down well as he wants everything in place like he had it at Ajax
Barcelona are will to sell De jong but the player is refusing to join because of champions league football.
De Jong is the best midf in the world right now so we need to sign him
Just leave him get another player that really want to play for united not just for money.