- 10 hours ago
De Jong deal blocked by Antony as ‘OBSESSED’ Ten Hag reignites chase for Barcelona ace
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 5 Aug 2024 09:59 BST
- 4 min read
Manchester United remain “obsessed” with Frenkie de Jong and will seek to take advantage of Barcelona’s desire to sell the Netherlands international midfielder by making a late move in the summer transfer window.
Manager Erik ten Hag is the driving force behind United’s interest in De Jong, according to El Nacional, which indicates that the Dutchman is keen to be reunited with his former Ajax protegee.
Indeed, Ten Hag believes that the 27-year-old, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €47.5 million, would become a “key piece” of his project at Man Utd.
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Compared
Frenkie de Jong
M (C)
Barcelona
Frenkie de Jong
M (C)
Barcelona
VS
Antony
M (R)
Man Utd
Antony
M (R)
Man Utd
|
|
ETV |
|
| €35.6M - €59.4M | ETV Range | €21.5M - €35.8M |
| 27 years old (12 May, 1997) | Age | 24 years old (24 Feb, 2000) |
|
Netherlands
|
Nationality |
Brazil
|
Man Utd are said to have already made an offer to Barcelona for De Jong. This deal would have included winger Antony as part of the agreement, with Barca known to be on the search for wide players, having pursued a deal for Athletic Club’s Nico Williams this summer.
“This offer has arrived at the offices of Barcelona. And the answer is very clear. A resounding ‘no’,” the Catalan source claims.
Barcelona, though, are said to be eager to sell De Jong, with the wages of the Netherlands international hampering their efforts to bring players into the club.
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The Catalans, though, are not interested in a loan for the Netherlands star but want a permanent deal.
They will not, however, accept a part-exchange transfer except for a player who is of genuine interest to them. Antony, who finished last season with three goals and two assists across all competitions, does not fall into this bracket.
He is not of the profile that sporting director Deco wants to sign plus “has a reputation for being problematic and his level in recent years has been very poor”.
Barcelona have sent Man Utd a message: it will take a big sum to take De Jong away from Camp Nou.
Does De Jong want Man Utd?
Even if terms are agreed with Barca, though, there is the complication of luring the midfielder away from a huge salary where he is.
Man Utd spent much of the summer of 2022 chasing De Jong, but while a deal with Barcelona seemed possible, the player, who Ten Hag loves, did not want to leave Spain.
De Jong still has two years left to run on his contract at Barcelona and signing him before this deal expires is liable to be a huge challenge.
