Murmurs in the football transfer market are beginning to become more profound, as the European football season enters its closing months, the heavyweight clubs around Europe are already setting their sights on the upcoming summer transfer window. Rumours and transfer speculations are again on the rise and one such rumour which refuses to die down is that of linking Frenkie De Jong to Manchester United.
United spent most of the last summer transfer window chasing Frenkie De Jong’s signature but a move never materialised primarily due to De Jong’s deferred wages tangle at Barcelona and the player’s wishes to remain at the Catalan club. The signing of the Dutch midfield maestro seemed like a distant dream for most United fans, however, United’s victory over the Catalan giants in the round of 32 tie of the Europa League gave many United fans renewed hope, especially after the second leg match which was played out at Old Trafford in front of the United faithful where they could witness De Jong’s elegance despite Barcelona’s defeat.
As Things Stand:
The way things are shaping up – With Manchester United potentially getting new owners who would be willing to spend big to mark their stamp at the club especially if it’s the Qatari ownership of Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, The difficult financial situation of Barcelona which was again brought to light recently by La Liga President Javier Tebas, and United manager Erik Ten Hag’s eagerness to reunite with De Jong but the player’s preference to remain at his present club, all these factors point towards another long-drawn-out and complicated transfer saga involving De Jong, United and Barcelona.
The Recent Snub:
The De Jong dream of many United supporters which had been revived recently due to the hope of potential new owners coming in with a glittering transfer kitty, and because of the team’s own on-pitch improvements seems to have suffered another blow and by the coveted player himself as he has recently revealed to TV3 of his desires to continue at Barcelona for many more years and also reiterated of his affections for the Catalan giants.
Why only De Jong:
The reason why the United boss has been so eager to reunite with his dutch compatriot is majorly because he is a perfect fit for Ten Hag’s footballing system and philosophy, Erik Ten Hag’s best Ajax sides have always had a ball carrier who could not just drive with the ball into the final third but also play through the opposition press, in his 18/19 Ajax side this role was played with great elegance by Frenkie De Jong and after De Jong’s departure to Spain this role was performed by Ryan Gravenberch. This present United side lacks someone who could play through the opposition press and make progressive carries with the ball, neither Eriksen, Sabitzer nor Fernandes fits this mould of a press-resistant ball-carrying number 8.
For the Other options of players with similar profiles United can probably look at Maxence Caqueret of Olympique Lyonnais and the Belgian Romeo Lavia, both of whom are quite adept at playing through the opposition press, are defensively sound, and would be far cheaper options as compared to Frenkie De Jong. This profile of a press-resistant midfielder who can carry the ball and help in controlling the possession is a key component of the Cruyffian style of football which Ten Hag ultimately would want his United side to play. For Manchester United it is imperative that they go about their transfer business swiftly and cleverly in the summer window, not wasting too much time chasing lost causes whether that be Kane or De Jong when potential alternatives are available, since upgrades are needed in midfield, striker position and goalkeeping department.
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