Manchester United consider exploiting La Liga giants with £50m-58m swoop for midfield mastro

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United.

It feels like we’ve been talking about Frenkie de Jong for over two years now, on such a regular basis he gets a mention more often than some of the current players in the current Manchester United squad.

Erik ten Hag’s influence shouldn’t be undermined, although the manager isn’t solely responsible for recruitment. He works with a team consisting of Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox to decide on future targets.

However, the Netherlands midfielder has been at Barcelona since 2019 and is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world, even if his performances in Spain can be hit-and-miss.

Manchester United not giving up on Frenkie de Jong

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Previous reports suggest Ten Hag still wants a reunion with De Jong at Old Trafford, like he achieved with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui in the summer following their transfers from Bayern Munich.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, United are preparing a January swoop worth around £50-58m. It is understood that the Reds are trying to exploit Barcelona’s financial woes but we hear that every time United are linked with De Jong or another one of their players.

Interestingly, De Jong’s contract at Barcelona expires in 2026 and he has yet agreed new terms with the club.

This could make it possible for De Jong to leave next summer because I don’t think Barcelona will be keen on losing a star midfielder midway through the season.

There is not enough substance to these reports to believe United are relaunching their pursuit of De Jong, but I do think we’ll keep an eye on his situation in Spain.

De Jong still has some time left on his current deal at Camp Nou.