Should Manchester United Pursue Frenkie De Jong Next Summer?

It has been well documented that Manchester United were actively pursuing FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong as Erik Ten Hag’s marquee signing last summer, but should they go back in for him after missing out once before?

With the rumblings still taking place over De Jong’s displeasure regarding his deferred wages and hierarchy in the Barcelona midfield, there is a potential opportunity of the Holland international deciding to leave next summer.

Although De Jong has featured in 17 games throughout all competitions this season, Xavi, Barcelona’s manager, has used him from the bench more times than the midfielder would have expected – especially in the Champions League.

Against Bayern Munich, Inter and the final group game versus Viktoria Plzen, De Jong found himself on the bench and coming on for a cameo role. Given the season before he had stated every Champions League game available, it shows that Xavi is not opposed to rotating De Jong with Pedri and Gavi moving forward.

And while it has been made clear that De Jong’s boyhood dream was to play for Barcelona, there have been whispers of his unhappiness with the current situation behind closed doors. The Catalan club are still taking the public front of denying their willingness to accept any offers for De Jong, but if another huge offer from Manchester United lands on their doorstep, they will speak to the player once more about a departure.

The Red Devils, primarily through Ten Hag, are totally obsessed in landing De Jong as their midfielder of dreams. While they have signed Casemiro and Christian Eriksen last summer, both of whom have been utterly excellent, Manchester United fans know more than most how their lack of quality depth in the middle of the pitch is an area for concern.

It will take a lot of convincing for Manchester United to land De Jong and get drawn back into another summer of twists and turns, but the idea will be to sell the project of how he will be transforming Manchester United’s midfield.

With another three years left on his contract by the time the summer comes around, Barcelona will be looking to entertain a price close to £100 million once more for De Jong. A generational talent that was only reemphasised during his performances for the Netherlands at the World Cup, Barcelona understand his market value is still going to be soaring.

But with the ongoing financial uncertainties that Barcelona face, now, more than ever, are they in a position where they must listen to every offer put in front of them.