Manchester United could well have made their first summer signing already, if reports are to be believed. According to the Italian media outlet Forza Italian Football, Nigel de Jong could has agreed to join the Old Trafford outfit in the summer after reaching an agreement with the Premier League side. The Italian media outlet has quoted reliable Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf in the matter.
De Jonga s current contract with AC Milan is only until this summer which means he will be a free agent then. Milan naturally want to extend his contract to make sure he doesn’t leave for free but it has been reported that the Dutchman has asked for a three-year-deal on a 70,000 per-week to remain at the club.
Milan, who are not going through the best of times, are seemingly unwilling to meet any such demands unless they qualify for Champions League next season. Going by the team’s current dismal run, chances of that happening look slightly slim.
De Telegraaf have reported that player has already reached an agreement with United coach Louis Van Gaal and has already let the Italian club know that he will leave at the end of the season. They have also claimed that the midfielder has snubbed a return to first club Ajax and has set his sights on a move to Old Trafford.
De Jong started his career at Ajax before moving to German side Hamburg. On 21 January 2009, Mark Hughes signed the 30 year old for Manchester United’s city rivals, Manchester City, for a sum believed to be in the region of A?18 million. The Dutchman spent three and a half seasons with the current Premier League title holders where he won an FA Cup, a league title and a community shied. In August 2012, AC Milan swooped in for him and successfully got his services for around A?3.5 m- A?5m.
Van Gaal recently confirmed that he is intended to sign a midfielder in the summer.
“I am looking for balance and I need balance in midfield,” he said.
While there are many reported targets with Roma’s Kevin Strootman cited as the prime candidate, adding de Jong within his ranks would be a great move for van Gaal. The 30-year old has plenty of experience and is Premier League tested already. De Jong had played under Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal at the World Cup in Brazil last summer. He could add plenty of steel in United’s midfield and definitely has two-three years of top level football in him right now. If the Red Devils only want him as a squad player, that would make sense as well as the young players would be able to learn a lot from de Jong and the midfielder would be an ideal back-up option to have within the ranks. It would be an especially good deal for the Manchester club since the player can come in for free given he is a free agent this summer.