Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, is closing in on his first summer signing after beating Frenkie de Jong in crunch talks to persuade the Dutchman to join United.
According to a new report, Erik ten Hag has won Frenkie de Jong over after staging talks to persuade him to join Manchester United this summer.
Ten Hag has identified De Jong as his top transfer target as he attempts to get United back on track. The Dutch duo had great success together at Ajax, but De Jong had reservations about leaving Barcelona for Old Trafford this summer.
The inability of United to offer Champions League football was seen as a major sticking point for the 25-year-old playmaker, who preferred to remain at the Camp Nou. According to The Mirror, De Jong has been won around by Ten Hag, who appears to be on his way to finally getting his man.
De Jong was a key member of the Ajax team that won the Dutch double in 2019, the same year Ten Hag’s old team had a stunning run in the Champions League.
Ten Hag plans to build his team around De Jong, not only to remind him of the good times they had at Ajax but also to get United competing for major titles again.
The inability of United to offer Champions League football was seen as a major sticking point for the 25-year-old playmaker, who was content to stay at the Nou Camp. According to The Mirror, De Jong has been won round by Ten Hag, who looks set to finally get his man.
De Jong was a key member of the Ajax team that won the Dutch double in 2019, the same year Ten Hag’s old club had a stunning run in the Champions League.
Ten Hag plans to build his team around De Jong in order to re-establish United’s challenge for major titles.
United have already had a £60 million bid for De Jong, who insisted last month that he was not interested in moving to Old Trafford, rejected by Barcelona. According to the report, a package worth £68 million-plus add-ons could be enough to land the midfield maestro.
Barcelona is desperate for cash this summer to alleviate its current financial woes, and De Jong, who is under contract until the summer of 2026, is one of its most saleable assets.
As a deal for De Jong nears completion, Ten Hag may not be the only player he reunites with at Old Trafford, as Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has been linked with a move to United.
Nice move my coach 👍💪🙏