Frenkie De Jong to Man Utd back on as club 'preparing huge transfer push'

Manchester United will make a renewed attempt to prise Frenkie de Jong away from Barcelona this summer, according to reports in Spain. The Red Devils failed miserably to sign De Jong in 2022 but the Catalan club’s need to sell could play straight into Erik ten Hag’s hands over the next two weeks.

Ten Hag and De Jong worked together at Ajax before the midfielder made his dream move to Barca in 2019. Two years ago, De Jong was offered the chance of a reunion when Ten Hag made him a top summer target.

United and Barcelona even agreed an initial, up-front £55.7million fee, but the player snubbed Ten Hag’s advances and decided to stay at the Nou Camp.

The current state of play leaves Barca in need of a big sale in order to register their summer signings, and De Jong is one of their most valuable assets. According to Sport, United are preparing a huge push and will ‘spare no effort’ to sign him if the opportunity arises.

A bid of just over £51m would reportedly be considered by Barcelona after they spent big on signing Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig. However, De Jong’s stance has not shifted and he is said to be keen on spending at least another season in Spain. Manager Hansi Flick is also intent on keeping hold of him as a central figure in his team.

United signed Casemiro soon after De Jong turned them down in 2022, but with the Brazilian set to turn 33 over the course of this season, Ten Hag’s side are on the hunt for another midfield recruit.

Paris Saint-Germain star Manuel Ugarte has emerged as a priority target, and his agent, Jorge Mendes, has been in the UK this week for a fresh round of talks. United are also believed to have made contact with the representatives of Burnley midfielder Sander Berge.

Youssouf Fofana of AS Monaco is rumoured to be a target but the Frenchman is reportedly closing in on a move to AC Milan. De Jong’s potential availability could shake up the saga completely.

United sporting director Dan Ashworth is said to be hugely impressed with Ugarte, but Ten Hag’s fondness for De Jong is well known. If signed, the Dutchman would be the latest in a long line of former Ajax players to join up with their former boss at Old Trafford.

Andre Onana, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Noussair Mazraoui have all joined since Ten Hag’s appointment, while several other of his recruits have played in the Dutch Eredivisie.