Why Man Utd will sign Frenkie de Jong by June 30
FT Desk
- 26 Jun 2022 21:45 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United are set to complete the signing of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong by June 30, according to a number of reports in the Spanish media.
The two clubs have been in negotiations for the Dutch midfielder for a number of weeks now, with new Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag making de Jong his priority signing of the summer transfer window.
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Sport claims this weekend that negotiations are entering an advanced phase with Man Utd and Barcelona close to agreeing an €80 million transfer fee.
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It’s also reported in Spain that the deal is likely to be closed before the end of this month because Barcelona need to register the deal by the end of the financial year on June 30.
Barca’s financial problems are well-documented and they need to balance the books by selling De Jong before the end of the month.
Personal terms have not yet been agreed but won’t be a problem as Man Utd will offer De Jong more than what he is earning at Camp Nou. He is set to sign a five-year deal at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old had wanted to stay at Barcelona but has now reluctantly come to realise that he is unwanted at the club, whilst the charm offensive of former Ajax coach Ten Hag has also convinced him.
De Jong had been expected to become the best central midfielder in the world when he joined Barcelona from Ajax for €75m in 2019.
However, he has failed to fulfil his potential and is not even considered a guaranteed starter anymore given the presence of Pedri, Gavi, Sergio Busquets and incoming free transfer signing Franck Kessie.
De Jong will become Man Utd’s first signing of the summer in what has been a slow window for the club so far.
Manchester City and Liverpool have been very active in the Premier League, as have Arsenal and Tottenham.
But both Man Utd and Chelsea are yet to bring in any new faces up until now.
