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Manchester United have “approached” Barcelona over a potential deal to sign “long-term transfer target” Frenkie de Jong this summer, according to a report.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is described as “still keen” to sign his former midfield general by Michael Plant (Manchester World), with United’s interest in the 27-year-old having “never really subsided” after a deal came close to completion two years ago.
In the summer of 2022, following Ten Hag’s appointment at Old Trafford, the club agreed a transfer worth a potential £71.5 million with Barcelona to sign De Jong. The Spanish giant were struggling financially and keen to cash in on their midfielder.
However, De Jong rejected the proposal and the deal fell through, with United instead targeting Casemiro in a blockbuster £70 million move from Real Madrid.
And while the Brazilian behemoth enjoyed a stellar debut campaign in English football as he helped United to win their first trophy in six seasons with the Carabao Cup, as well as securing Champions League football, his sophomore year was a dismal one.
Casemiro struggled enormously last season with the 32-year-old unable to cope with the physical demands Ten Hag’s system placed upon him. These woeful performances have even led the coaching staff at Old Trafford to believe the Brazilian’s “legs have gone” with the club open to his departure.
The Saudi Pro League is the only destination likely to be able to match the expensive wage packet Casemiro currently enjoys at United, however, and there has been little interest from the Middle East in a transfer for the 32-year-old.
It leaves a sense of ‘what if?’ about United’s initial pursuit of De Jong in 2022 and subsequent pivot to Casemiro – a player evidently on the cusp of leaving his prime years behind. But it’s a question the club may finally seek to answer this summer.
Plant reveals United officials have made a “tentative approach” to Barcelona over De Jong in recent days to “ascertain [the midfielder’s] availability”. The Manchester-based reported contends the Red Devils would be “open to completing a deal if a fee around the £30m-£40m mark can be agreed” – a far cry from the price agreed two summers ago.
United’s budget this summer is constrained by the pressures of financial fair play regulations (FFP). With expensive deals for Leny Yoro (LOSC Lille) and Joshua Zirkzee (Bologna) already agreed, the club are in a position where they must sell in order to buy.
A pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte fell through after the French club refused to compromise on their €60 million valuation of the midfielder, leading United to consider alternatives at cheaper prices. This is likely what has driven club executives to revisit a move for De Jong with Ten Hag described as still believing the 27-year-old to be a “perfect fit for his midfield”.
Plant’s report describes it as “unclear” whether Barcelona would be willing to sell De Jong with new manager Hansi Flick thought to want to keep the midfielder at Camp Nou.
If United were able to finally convince the Dutch international to swap Catalonia for Manchester for that fee it would constitute a brilliant piece of business; which is why The Peoples Person believes this is a transfer, at that price tag at least, which has as much legs as Casemiro.
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