Manchester United have made Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong one of the primary targets for the upcoming transfer window. However, according to recent reports, the Dutch international is set to turn down a move to Old Trafford due to the absence of Champions League football next season.
With an abysmal season coming to an end, the United management is aiming for a major overhaul of the squad to become serious contenders for trophies once again. De Jong has been bookmarked as a potential target, especially with his ex-manager Erik ten Hag taking over the helms at Old Trafford from next season.
It was reported last month that United are interested in signing the 25-year-old midfielder in the summer. The Red Devils made contact with the Catalan giants earlier this week after reports came out of Spain that FC Barcelona might be willing to sell the player due to financial reasons, with a reported asking price of £58million.
Barcelona want to compete for the Champions League next season but have acknowledged that the quality of the squad at hand might not be enough to mount a La Liga title and CL challenge. Apart from the signings of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie, Xavi wants to bring in five or six more players including a no. 6, in case the Dutch midfielder leaves.
However, they’ve hit a roadblock with negotiations as the player doesn’t see the appeal of playing for a club without Champions League qualification. According to Cadena SER (via Metro), Frenkie de Jong is not interested in joining Manchester United due to their lack of Champions League football next season.
Frenkie de Jong situation. There has been contact with Manchester United, yes – but sources say there's no full/close agreement with Barcelona, as of today. 🇳🇱 #MUFC
Barça financial situation could affect Frenkie's future – his priority is UCL football. Erik Ten Hag will push. pic.twitter.com/2eJHJ2XWGM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 12, 2022
The Red Devils’ failure to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition is a big turn-off for the Dutch midfielder. The player’s preference is to stay at Barcelona, but if he were to leave, he’d do it only for a CL club. United may be in for more heartache as the midfielder would be willing to join direct city rivals Manchester City, according to the Sun. Pep Guardiola would be interested in signing Frenkie after failing to secure his signature for City three years ago.
The 25-year-old has made 46 appearances for the Blaugrana this season across all competitions, registering 4 goals and 5 assists (according to Transfermarkt). Frenkie has perfectly slotted into the three-man midfield that Xavi plays alongside Sergio Busquets and Gavi.
The Barcelona #21 has put in stellar performances as a reliable midfielder all season long for the club, acting as an anchor from midfield to the front with his laser passing and quick judgments. He has been a hot property since his Ajax days and several clubs could be looking to sign him up with his availability clear.
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Nevertheless, Frenkie would love to stay at Camp Nou. According to SPORT (via Forbes), De Jong feels confident that he can “lead this new generation of players of a very high level” at Camp Nou. Xavi also shares the same sentiment as the Dutchman and is a big fan of the player. The Spanish manager has displayed his trust in the 25-year-old publicly, calling him a difference-maker and how he is the “present and the future [at Barca]” (ESPN).
Erik ten Hag and co. would consider signing a world-class central midfielder a priority in the upcoming summer window. But, Frenkie de Jong might be a target too difficult to achieve since United haven’t secured its place in Europe’s most elite competition for next season.
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