Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is back on Manchester United’s radar ahead of the summer, according to talkSPORT.
The Lowdown: Old Trafford visit
De Jong, who was heavily linked with a move to the red side of Manchester last summer, recently took in Old Trafford for the first time.
The Dutch midfielder starred in a 2-1 defeat in the Europa League, where he was the best-rated player from either side, as per SofaScore. He completed 100% of his five attempted dribbles and won 13 of his 16 duels, and that display appears to have caught the eye of United chiefs once more.
The Latest: Transfer update
TalkSPORT provided an update on De Jong and United in the last 24 hours, claiming that a move is ‘firmly back on’.
Erik ten Hag has made the midfielder ‘one of United’s top summer targets’ and hopes that ‘sampling the Old Trafford feel-good factor’ can persuade him to join.
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The Verdict: Fingers crossed
De Jong showed his quality at Old Trafford last month, and it’s clear to see that he would be a brilliant addition heading into Ten Hag’s second season.
United have been left with limited options in midfield recently due to injuries to Christian Eriksen and Scott McTominay and a three-match ban for Casemiro.
Therefore, a new midfielder could be beneficial in the summer, especially with Marcel Sabitzer only on loan, with De Jong, called ‘extraordinary’ by his manager Xavi in the past, a long-term target.
De Jong could provide the right balance alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, with all three players averaging an impressive WhoScored match rating of more than 7/10 so far this season.