Journalist Ben Jacobs has been speaking on The Done Deal Show about Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong.
It’s a summer-long saga that has been way too long and drawn out from both De Jong and Man United’s points of view, as there is no resolution seemingly close, with the Red Devils clearly having him at the top of their transfer list this summer.
However, recent reports have suggested that Premier League rivals, Chelsea are now ready to complete a deal which could see the Dutch midfielder make a move to Stamford Bridge.
Jacobs believes that after a conversation he had with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, the situation isn’t as black and white as some people make it out to be.
He said: “If it becomes a straight race between Chelsea and Manchester United on similar terms – which is currently where we’re heading towards – and De Jong decides that he is going to leave, which is still not a given because he’s been consistent in his stance, at that point, Chelsea have the advantage over Manchester United, based upon my understanding.
“And my understanding – without, as a journalist will never do, giving away sources – is framed not around specifically one club or the other.
Will Man United sign De Jong?
Yes!
No!
“I think everyone says to me on Twitter, but you’re somehow a Chelsea fan or your Chelsea-biased. Remember, I followed Barcelona in America and I’ve spoken to Laporta on and off-record; I’ve spoken to other Barcelona sources; I’ve spoken to people close to De Jong.
“And this is where you get the [Twitter] threads that you either love or you hate like Marmite, this is where you get the longer answers because it is in that context.”
TIF Thoughts on Man United’s pursuit of De Jong…
It will only sum up what has been a pretty shambolic window from Man United if they manage to miss out on a player they have been linked with and targeting all summer and are ultimately pipped to the signing by Chelsea, a direct rival in the Premier League.
Since the defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, it has been a pretty hectic few days for Man United, having seen a bid rejected for 33-year-old Marko Arnautovic, the club apparently closing in on bad-boy Adrien Rabiot and now looking set to miss out on De Jong – someone they’ve craved for so long and also someone who has a past relationship with Erik ten Hag.