Lionel Messi’s Frenkie de Jong’s future prediction that Manchester United hopes will come true as they looking to wrap up a deal
Manchester United are close to completing a deal for Frenkie de Jong, and they will be hoping that his former teammate Lionel Messi is correct.
De Jong joined Barcelona from Erik ten Hag’s Ajax in 2019 and worked with seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi before joining Paris Saint-Germain.
Ronald Koeman, the club’s manager at the time, has previously stated that he purposefully included Messi in his discussions with De Jong about his progress.
Messi predicted that the young midfielder would go on to achieve great things and reach a “higher level,” while Koeman stated that De Jong was a “fantastic player.”
While he has struggled to make an impact at Barcelona since Messi’s prediction, United will hope that displays what he is capable of if he is lured to Old Trafford.
“When I arrived I told Frenkie: ‘This is your second season, you have to make a step higher now, you need to do more than just play along’,” Koeman told De Telegraaf last year. “This sounds cruel, but he got the message.
“I told him to take more responsibility. To arrive in the opponent’s box more. During these conversations I also involved Messi. Messi told Frenkie that he is a fantastic player. He becomes happy around a player like Frenkie, because he wants to have pure football players around him.
“When we talk with the three of us, Messi shares his opinion towards Frenkie. He always tries to activate him, as Messi believes that Frenkie can reach a much higher level. He finds him a very intelligent player.”
De Jong has played 140 times in all competitions for Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona since joining from Ajax for a fee of £64.6 million in 2019.
He has scored 13 goals and helped the Catalan club win the Copa Del Rey in 2020/21.
De Jong is not the only Dutch international set to join United in the near future. Ten Hag’s side has also agreed to sign left-back Tyrell Malacia for £13 million, with a potential future add-on fee of up to £15 million.
Following the completion of the deals for the Dutch duo, United are looking for a versatile forward who can play across the front three as the Red Devils look to bolster their attacking line.
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Lionel Messi’s Frenkie de Jong’s future prediction that Manchester United hopes will come true as they looking to wrap up a deal
