Man Utd set to target De Jong transfer AGAIN...with one key difference

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 22 Feb 2024 22:22 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United will once again look to sign Frenkie de Jong this summer, however the Red Devils appear to be learning from past mistakes, having reportedly already shortlisted an alternative if they cannot land the Barcelona midfielder.

De Jong was top of United’s shopping list in 2022, however despite agreeing a fee of up to €85 million with Barca to sign the Dutchman, he rejected the move and left the Premier League side scrambling for another option after months of talks.

United ended up signing Casemiro for €70m late in the transfer window but the Brazilian’s transfer was reportedly heavily scrutinised by new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who viewed the fee and the long-term contract excessive for a player in his thirties.

Erik ten Hag is still determined to reunite with De Jong at Old Trafford, having managed the 26-year-old at Ajax, and El Nacional claims he is still a ‘priority target’, although United ‘will not wait forever’ to sign him despite being ‘optimistic and confident’ of a deal.

If United do not sign De Jong, the Catalan report claims it will ‘not be a problem’ as there is already a ‘plan B’ in mind, with Bayer Leverkusen star Exequiel Palacios said to be that man.

The 25-year-old is one of four Leverkusen players who United are allegedly looking to sign in the summer as they look to prey on the uncertain future of Xabi Alonso, who will be pursued by Liverpool and Bayern Munich to be their new manager.

United plan raid on Leverkusen

Palacios was part of the Argentina side that won the 2022 World Cup and the defensive midfielder is enjoying arguably his best season yet for Leverkusen, having joined the club in 2020 for €17m.

Although Palacios is just an alternative to De Jong, El Nacional claims that United will target a number of his teammates, starting with Victor Boniface, who has reportedly been ‘chosen’ to ‘solve the problem’ up front for United.

Boniface has netted ten goals and seven assists in 16 Bundesliga games this season and would provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund, who United are hoping to sign an alternative for, having given the youngster more game time than anticipated due to a lack of a natural backup.

Edmond Tapsoba is also still on United’s shortlist in defence, having been considered last year as a replacement for Harry Maguire, with the England international still a player Ten Hag is willing to sell this summer.

The final Leverkusen star quoted as being on United’s shopping list is Jeremie Frimpong after his seven goals and six assists from right-back this season.

United intend to make a ‘stratospheric investment’ into Frimpong as they look to rebuild and enhance their squad under Ratcliffe, with the club hopeful of starting with De Jong.