Man Utd handed fresh Frenkie de Jong boost as Barcelona plan for January window
Manchester United have been handed a huge boost in their hopes of a renewed move for Frenkie de Jong in the near future.
The Red Devils were strongly linked with a move for the Dutchman throughout the summer transfer window – Erik ten Hag keen to be reunited with his former Ajax custodian. United had a bid accepted by Barcelona for the midfielder due to their woeful financial situation.
But De Jong was not as convinced of a switch to Old Trafford as United instead signed a very capable alternative in the form of Real Madrid star Casemiro. The Brazilian completed a £70m switch to Old Trafford in the closing stages of the summer window.
However, that might not end United’s interest in De Jong totally. According to Diario SPORT, the Catalan giants are keen on making further signings in January – central midfield being one of the positions where they are intent on strengthening.
President Joan Laporta has confirmed as much with Barcelona staring at an early Champions League exit in the face once more. He said: “We are working on the market. We have had talks with the coaching staff and we intend to improve the squad, which is already very powerful but can still improve more.
“We are working with the coach, with the technical secretariat and the director of football for this winter market. We have been analysing things for some time and the team will be improved if we have the chance to do so.”
That could well shove De Jong down the pecking order at the club with the Dutchman having only started four of ten matches in all competitions so far this season. Indeed, the 25-year-old has already admitted to feeling ‘pressured’ to leave the club in the most recent window.
Speaking with Ziggo Sport, the midfielder said: “I was calm. I decided in May that I wanted to stay. My opinion has never changed during this entire period.
“I stayed calm. But then you know the pressure would start to come… Yes, from the newspapers, from the president, exactly. From everywhere actually. But I wanted to stay at Barca so it never baffled me.”
Should history repeat itself then De Jong could well be on the way out of the Camp Nou sooner rather than later. Spanish international Sergio Busquets already looks to be waving farewell next summer at the end of his contract but his midfield colleague could potentially be gone well before then.
De Jong’s status could well trigger the Red Devils into making a move with further midfield acquisitions required at Old Trafford. However, United face competition from elsewhere in the Premier League should they attempt again to sign the midfielder.
Fierce rivals Liverpool were recently linked with a move for his services despite having signed Arthur Melo on a season-long loan from Juventus in the summer. He has endured a nightmare start to life at Anfield though and is set to be restricted to the sidelines for the foreseeable future having undergone surgery.
