Erik Ten Hag’s renewed interest in signing Ditch midfielder Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona has hit a major setback.
Manchester United, led by Erik Ten Hag, renewed interest in the pursuit of Frenkie De Jong after a previous attempt to sign the Dutch midfielder failed.
Recall that the Red Devils have been on the trail of De Jong since Erik Ten Hag took over as Manchester United manager.
The former Ajax manager had reiterated that Frenkie De Jong is crucial to his Manchester United midfield plan.
Frenkie De Jong was key in Erik Ten Hag’s success as Ajax’s manager before he sold him to Barcelona for £65million in 2019. The Dutch tactician is exploring all means to sign de Jong.
Frenkie De Jong dominated the headlines in the last transfer window, with Manchester United vigorously pursuing a deal with the Barcelona star.
De Jong’s future at Camp Nou was uncertain, sparking the rumors which linked him to a Premier League move, with Manchester United and Chelsea struggling to broker a deal to land the highly-rated central midfielder.
A reported feud with Barcelona hierarchy over proposed salary cuts and his struggle to break into Xavi’s starting IX seemed to confirm a possible Camp Nou exit.
Although he reportedly accepted a pay cut to remain at Nou Camp, he could not break into Xavi Hernandez’s starting lineup and was played out of position when subbed on in some games.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that Manchester United had agreed with Barcelona to sign him but had to wait for a personal decision from Frenkie De Jong.
Despite his travail at Barcelona, De Jong turned down a move to Premier League, saying he is happy at Barcelona.
The transfer window closed with Erik Ten Hag unable to sign his former player. Despite signing the likes of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen into the Man United midfield, Ten Hag has reportedly re-awakened interest in signing de Jong.
Now, his renewed interest in the Dutch star has suffered a significant setback.
Reports from the Spanish publication Sport has stated De Jong is now seen as indispensable and key in Barcelona, with the salary dilemma no longer consequential in determining the player’s future.
Sport also states that Xavi Hernandez has ruled out a possible sale of the player in the coming transfer window because he wants the Dutch star to succeed Sergio Busquets at the club.
Sergio Busquets is expected to leave Barcelona at the expiration of his current contract at the club. His contract expires next summer, and the Blaugrana will need a replacement, with Frenkie De Jong a prime target to replace the 34-year-old.
Now, Erik Ten Hag has been dealt a major blow, with Xavi Hernandez unwilling to sell the player.
This season, Frenkie De Jong has made 17 appearances for Barcelona and has scored two goals.
He joined the La Liga giant in 2019 for £65million and has made 157 appearances. Frenkie De Jong joined Barcelona in the trough of poor performance. He has won only Copa Del Rey with the club and has shared in the club’s three years of trophy drought.
