Frenkie de Jong wants to partner Casemiro in Man Utd midfield

Stuart Telford

• 2 Mar 2023 14:44 GMT
• 3 min read

Frenkie de Jong has changed his mind about joining Manchester United from Barcelona according to reports.

De Jong was Erik ten Hag's top transfer target when he took the Man Utd job last summer, the pair having won the Dutch domestic double together in 2019 before the midfielder left for Barca.

But De Jong was unconvinced of a move to Manchester, had previously described Barca as his "dream club" and was owed a cool €17 million in unpaid wages by the Camp Nou club anyway.

READ: De Jong to Man Utd transfer saga will be 'different' this summer - Fabrizio Romano

But the recent 4-3 aggregate loss to United in the Europe League knock-out round play-offs showed the contrasting trajectories of the clubs in question, and De Jong could now have had his head turned.

Casemiro's role

"Ten Hag hopes sampling the Old Trafford feel-good factor as United beat Barcelona in the Europa League play-off last week will help persuade De Jong to make the switch," reports talkSPORT's Alex Crook.

"The prospect of partnering Casemiro in United's midfield is also said to be an attractive proposition for the 25-year-old, particularly with the Red Devils on course for Champions League qualification."

READ: 'Not shrewd or smart' - Neville's shock criticism of Casemiro transfer

Casemiro was actually signed in De Jong's stead, the Red Devils paying Real Madrid €80 million for the services of the Brazilian, who had already turned 31.

Despite having his doubters - Graeme Souness among the most vocal - Casemiro has proved a stunning acquisition for United, contributing 10 goal-involvements from central midfield.

De Jong has the faith of Barcelona and in particular their head coach Xavi, meanwhile, and has played 21 times in helping them to the top of La Liga, seven points clear of champions Madrid.

However, Barca have been told by La Liga that they need to balance their books to the tune of €200m in time for next season.

De Jong is valued at €55.5m by FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm and also has a team-high salary €37.5m a year before tax.

This summer, a move to Old Trafford could suit all parties.