“From what I’m told…” – talkSPORT reporter issues huge Frenkie de Jong and Man United update

“From what I’m told…” – talkSPORT reporter issues huge Frenkie de Jong and Man United update

According to talkSPORT writer Alex Crook,  Manchester United are ‘confident’ of signing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer.

The Red Devils have been linked with the Dutch international in recent weeks and appear to be closer than ever to securing their transfer target.

United’s’main emphasis’ in the early parts of the transfer window, according to The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, has been to secure a move for De Jong.

In an interview with ESPN, the 25-year-old distanced himself from a move to Old Trafford, stating that Barcelona remains his ‘dream club,’ but Whitwell claims he has ‘given private signal’ that a switch now appeals to him.

According to reports, the primary stumbling block in any potential trade is De Jong’s €80 million (£68m) asking price, as United are reticent to pay the Blaugrana’s asking price right away.

Barcelona are in terrible financial straits, and the 20-time English champions refuse to bail them out, preferring to negotiate the best possible price for themselves.

What did Crook have to say about De Jong?

De Jong’s move to United would reconnect him with former manager Erik ten Hag and ex-teammate Donny van de Beek, all of whom he worked with at Ajax.

Crook has disclosed that he feels the transaction ‘will happen today,’ with United’s management wanting to have it done’sooner rather than later.’

He told GiveMeSport: “I think that will happen now. From what I’m told, United have really made that their main priority, and they’re confident as well. I think they want to get it done sooner rather than later.”

With Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, and Nemanja Matic all leaving on free transfers, it’s no surprise that strengthening the midfield is high on Ten Hag’s priority list.

United may have missed the inventiveness, guile, and control that someone like De Jong would bring to proceedings in recent years, and his arrival would undoubtedly be viewed as a significant coup for the club.

According to FBref, the creative talent ranks in the 95th percentile for progressive passes received, the 94th percentile for progressive carries, the 91st percentile for touches in the offensive penalty area, and the 87th percentile for predicted assists amongst other central midfielders.

Those numbers over the last year demonstrate De Jong’s talent on the ball, and he could prove to be an upgrade on what United has had in that part of the field over the last decade or so.

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“From what I’m told…” – talkSPORT reporter issues huge Frenkie de Jong and Man United update