Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd looking likelier than ever

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 3 min read

Frenkie de Jong has long been linked with a transfer to Manchester United from Barcelona.

The Netherlands international was strongly touted for a move to Old Trafford throughout the summer transfer window but the deal never materialised as the player did not push to leave Barca.

The Catalan side, for their part, did not want De Jong to leave but instead wanted him to reduce his contract to fit into the club’s new wage structure – something the player was adamant that he would not do.

De Jong has since gone on to become a vital member of Xavi’s Barcelona plans, yet the situation has shifted such that the 25-year-old, who is valued by FootballTransfers at €59 million, looks as likely to depart for Man Utd as ever before.

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Frenkie de Jong: What's changed?

This is being driven by two factors from Barcelona’s side.

Firstly, De Jong has reportedly performed a U-turn on his stance at Camp Nou. Fichajes reports that he is now open to leaving for Manchester United, which has in turn provoked anger from the Bluaugrana.

Barcelona are furious that he did not leave in the summer when the club was desperate for money.

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Secondly, Barcelona’s financial position continues to be precarious. Catalunya Radio reports that Barca will have to slash their wage budget by an astonishing €200 million. Given De Jong’s wage packet, he would be an obvious player to leave, particularly given that he also boasts a sizeable transfer fee.

De Jong, meanwhile, remains attractive from Manchester United’s perspective. He would offer an upgrade to their midfield as it stands, despite the successful summer arrival of Casemiro.

A deal in the January transfer window, though, appears highly unlikely. Barca will not want to see a key player depart unnecessarily in the middle of the season, while Man Utd are reticent to spend any money this month.

De Jong to Manchester United, then, is a transfer saga that is set to roll onto next summer.