Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic were the two central midfielders United lost this summer, so there was pressure to add players to that position. When Ten Hag assumed the position at United, the midfielder was his top transfer target because the two had previously worked together at Ajax.
After agreeing to a deal with Barcelona for Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong, Manchester United appears to be finally getting Erik ten Hag’s top transfer priority. The two parties are getting closer to a deal on the player’s transfer.
The days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick are now firmly in the past, and the Barcelona player might assist new manager Erik ten Hag usher in a new era at Old Trafford. According to sources, United will make an upfront payment of £56 million for the 25-year-old Holland international.
Personal conditions are reportedly just a formality with De Jong, who will join United and make an estimated £ 250,000 per week throughout a five-year contract. The two teams have not yet agreed on such an insert, but the fact that an initial sum has been set means that the agreement will probably be finalized soon.
De Jong had to be sold by Barcelona, who paid Ajax £70 million for him in 2019, to solve their severe financial problems and improve their team. United will focus on signing a flexible forward who can play in a variety of places across the front line after the De Jong transfer is finalized.
If the transfer is completed, Frankie De Jong’s jersey number could be in the discussion. The midfielder has been wearing the number 21 as a memorial to his grandfather Hans de Jong, who passed away on his 21st birthday.
The 21 jersey has been worn by Daniel James and Edinson Cavani recently at Manchester United, but the former left for Leeds last season, and the latter left after his contract expired.
De Jong has a free shot at the number at Old Trafford, which is fantastic news for him.
