Manchester United

Manchester United: Club refusing to admit defeat in Frenkie de Jong chase

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Image for Manchester United: Club refusing to admit defeat in Frenkie de Jong chase

Manchester United are still hoping that they can finalise the signing of Barcelona and Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

That is according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who was speaking to This is Futbol about the latest transfer news from Old Trafford, heading into the final weeks of the transfer window.

Manchester United’s pursual of de Jong has become an endless transfer saga this summer, and it seems less likely with every passing day that the 25-year-old will be allowed to join Erik ten Hag’s side this summer.

According to the Mirror, de Jong’s agents and Barcelona are set for fresh talks regarding the midfielder’s future, in a bid to force the former Ajax midfielder to accept a transfer offer from United. 

Both clubs had accepted a deal worth £72m for the transfer of the Dutchman to Old Trafford back in July, but various circumstances (including the Catalan giants owing the midfielder a reported £17m in deferred wages) have prevented the transfer from taking place.

And Jones believes that whilst the transfer seems to be moving away from United’s grasp, the club are refusing to admit defeat on the deal. 

“There’s no doubt they would still snap up de Jong if they can, but that ship is slowly sailing by and they know he might be out of sight soon,” said Jones.

“Never say never though, they refuse to admit defeat on this one.”

TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments

We believe that Manchester United should have moved on from this transfer a long time ago, when it became apparent that the deal was going to be extremely complex and potentially drag on for the whole summer. 

However, we do believe that the 44-time Netherlands international would be an excellent addition to Ten Hag’s side, with the midfielder having made 47 appearances for Barcelona last season, scoring four goals and providing five assists according to Transfermarkt.

The Arkel-born midfielder, who has been listed as a similar player to Luka Modric, would provide a progressive dynamic in ten Hag’s midfield this season, as shown by the fact he ranks in the top 6% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues and European competition for progressive passes received per 90 minutes (4.59) over the last 365 days, according to FBref.

We believe that whilst £72m for De Jong could still prove to be excellent business, Manchester United should have moved on from this deal and tried to sign another progressive midfielder in the Dutchman’s mould, rather than wasting time on a deal that looks unlikely to happen.

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