Manchester United are closing in on the capture of Frenkie de Jong in light of Barcelona’s financial woes.
Manchester United have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong, as reputed journalist Gerard Romero reckons FC Barcelona could be forced to cash in on their star midfielder, in light of their perilous financial situation that has made it imperative for them to sanction the sale of one of the top earners.
Barcelona are indeed looking for a million-dollar star in an attempt to balance the books. They are, after all, notoriously under the eyes of FFP rules after La Liga reduced their spending limit to a negative figure at the start of March.
Barcelona’s plight could turn out to be a major boost for Manchester United. The Premier League giants have emerged as the most likely destination for de Jong, with their new manager Erik ten Hag pushing for a potential reunion at Old Trafford after spending a few years together at Ajax Amsterdam.
Although Frenkie is considered one of the most integral figures in Xavi’s setup, Barcelona are aware the midfielder has not reached his full potential at Camp Nou. On top of his shortcomings, the Dutchman commands a hefty wage packet and is even one of the highest-paid players at the camp.
His potential exit at the end of the season could pave the way for Barcelona to not only balance their books but also fund moves for their existing targets in the market. The Catalans are already eyeing a summer swoop for Aurelien Tchouameni, who is regarded as one of the most talented midfield prospects in all of Europe.
Xavi is also open to signing Bernardo Silva as a direct replacement for de Jong. The Portuguese international might be able to offer a bit more creativity and could be an ideal partner for Pedri in the middle of the park, with Sergio Busquets operating as the number six.
Manchester United, for their part, are targeting de Jong as a direct replacement for Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba. Both the players are expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, with the latter notably being linked with a move to Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Frenkie has the experience of working with ten Hag in the past. His leadership, experience and quality could add a new dimension to Manchester United’s midfield department, although the Red Devils might require a few more quality investments if they are to truly compete for the title next season.
