Frenkie de Jong has been a revelation over the last 18 months following the collapse of his move to Manchester United. The Dutch midfielder insisted on staying in Catalonia with FC Barcelona to prove his worth, and that’s exactly what he’s done.
Last season he became an invaluable part of the Xavi system, and that form has carried over to the 2023 season. If he’s not Barcelona’s best player, he’s certainly up there.
Everything runs through De Jong at Barca with the all-action Dutchman being integral to both the defensive and offensive work. The addition of Oriol Romeu has allowed de Jong to push forward more but he still likes to operate as that deep-lying playmaker. Quarterbacking the team from the engine room.
When you’re one of the best players at one of the best teams in Europe, you’re likely to be admired by several teams, but one team has an obsession with signing him.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists on Frenkie de Jong signing
Manchester United are struggling for form early in the Premier League season, and visits Bayern Munich tonight in the Champions League.
A lot of the struggles are injury-related with United missing up to 11 first-team members with several high-profile players currently in the treatment room.
The United manager has recently stated that he’s never been able to start his best XI through injuries, or off-field problems.
Ten Hag is now “insisting” that United make another move for Frenkie de Jong, with the Barcelona man seen as the ideal candidate to kickstart Manchester United’s revival, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
"“Barcelona’s sports management is evaluating the situation despite the fact that Frenkie De Jong is a key piece in the Barça team’s core, with the Barça club’s financial need being what would take it on its way to the Premier League under the orders of Erik Ten. Hag , who has insisted on the idea of the arrival of the Dutch player, who would give one of the big bombshells of the next transfer market.”"
Selling de Jong makes little sense for Barcelona considering how important he is to the system, but if United were to offer close to €100 million euros, maybe the financial situation at the club could convince them. Although as we saw last summer, just because Barcelona are willing to let him go, doesn’t mean he would welcome a move to England.
We’re a long way off from this being reality, but it’s one to monitor.