The speculations linking Frenkie de Jong to a move away from Camp Nou have died down in recent weeks, with Barcelona now focusing firmly on the pursuit of Robert Lewandowski.
The Dutchman had emerged as a transfer priority for Manchester United, with the newly-appointed manager Erik ten Hag keen on a potential reunion at Old Trafford next season.
However, the speculations appear to have resurfaced in recent days, especially amid Barcelona’s financial crisis that could force the Catalans to cash in on the player in an attempt to balance the books.
De Jong is courted heavily by Manchester United in light of Paul Pogba’s imminent departure at the end of the season. Nemanja Matic has confirmed his exit as well, thus creating a massive void in the club’s midfield unit.
According to a report from journalist Oriol Domenech (h/t Carpetas Blaugranas), de Jong has been in touch with ten Hag as well, with the journalist revealing that a total of three conversations have taken place between the two parties.
Ten Hag and de Jong have had discussions, exploring the possibility of a summer move to Old Trafford.
However, the operation could be extremely tricky for Manchester United, with Barcelona holding out for a hefty price tag. The club want to recoup the amount they had spent on the player a few years ago and even make a small profit on top of of it.
De Jong himself has offered no suggestions of his desire to leave Camp Nou. He is comfortable playing under Xavi and wants to become a central part of the club’s success in the years to come.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old is keen on playing Champions League football, which is not on offer at Old Trafford. So, despite ten Hag’s conversations, it will be difficult for Manchester United to pull off the signing.
