Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, is eager for the team to complete a deal for Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, is said to believe Frenkie de Jong is worth ‘every penny’ as he attempts to sign the Barcelona star. While this is true, the Red Devils’ board of directors believes otherwise. And, with the transfer controversy still dragging, there is no end in sight.
Manchester United has been in contact with Barcelona for De Jong for several weeks.
The Catalan giants are willing to let go of the 25-year-old, barely three years after beating PSG to his signature from Ajax.
United have lost free agents Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic, with Ten Hag suggesting that both De Jong and Christian Eriksen would be excellent replacements.
However, the Mirror reports that there is a schism at Old Trafford.
United executives believe Barcelona is holding them hostage, with the La Liga heavyweights, wanting as much money as possible to help balance their books.
Ten Hag, on the other hand, believes De Jong is worth every penny.
He appears to want De Jong to be a focal point of his team as he seeks to restore Old Trafford’s glory days at the first attempt.
The pair previously worked together at Ajax, where they helped the Dutch club defy the odds and reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
However, United’s contract for De Jong is still in limbo, and there is no guarantee he will transfer to the Premier League.
When asked about a possible move to the Red Devils this summer, the 25-year-old has remained silent publicly.
Nonetheless, he is supposed to be resigned to leaving Barcelona for a new challenge after Xavi stated that he could be sold for economic reasons.
Ten Hag also wants De Jong because he believes he would be a “statement” acquisition for the club.
And he’s interested in Eriksen, who experienced a heart collapse during the European Championships just over a year ago.
United has made the midfielder a contract offer.
Despite the fact that the financial parameters of the deal are “acceptable” to the 30-year-old, he may end up returning to Tottenham.
Eriksen previously thrived for the north London giants, establishing himself as a fan favorite in the process.
Tottenham is eager to lure the playmaker back to the capital, especially with Champions League football on the table.
Rafael van der Vaart, a former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid great, recently spoke out about De Jong.
And “I will explain to you why Frenkie is so good at the national team because he’s the only midfielder with this kind of qualities here and he does what he wants,” he said of his colleague.
“There are Pedri, Gavi, Busquets, and others at Barcelona.” He suddenly starts adjusting again.
