Live from sky sports, 🚨Done Deal, Manchester united secure signing of Erik ten hag long time target. Manchester united arguably have had one of the best transfer windows as they look to complete another massive star signing in the next few days. According to reports from Spain, via FOOTBALLWAVE, the Red Devils and Barcelona have reached an agreement to sign De Jong this summer and it is believed that Barcelona have accepted an offer of £42.6m ➕£10m add-ons bid submitted by united. Long time target move to Manchester united confirmed.
Since Erik ten Hag took the reins at Manchester United in the summer of 2022, a notable pattern has emerged in the club’s transfer strategy: ten players with past experience in the Eredivisie have joined the ranks. Among them are five who played under Ten Hag at Ajax and Utrecht, including Sofyan Amrabat.
Despite ongoing mockery from fans and analysts alike, Ten Hag’s preference for players familiar with him or with the Dutch top flight is evident. His previous Ajax players at United include Lisandro Martinez and Antony, who joined in his inaugural season, and Andre Onana, who was signed as the long-term goalkeeper the following summer. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are expected to add to this list, reuniting with their former manager and teammates.
Adding another name to this list, Manchester United is now eyeing Frenkie de Jong, a Barcelona midfielder and Dutch international. Speculation about De Jong’s potential move from Barcelona has persisted over recent summers, reflecting Ten Hag’s ongoing interest. Reports indicate that United has put forward an initial bid of £42.6 million, although Barcelona is holding out for a higher offer. United might counter with £59.7 million plus £12.8 million in add-ons to secure the 27-year-old, who was acquired by Barcelona for £65 million in 2019.
De Jong’s 2023-2024 season was hampered by injuries, causing him to miss 28 games and preventing his participation in Euro 2024. Nevertheless, he made 30 appearances for Barcelona last season, scoring two goals in La Liga, and earned ten yellow cards, seven of which were in the Spanish top division.
Should De Jong join United, he could effectively replace midfielders Sander Berge and Manuel Ugarte, whom the club is also considering. Unlike Berge and Ugarte, who are known for their defensive prowess, De Jong excels with the ball at his feet. His advanced dribbling and creative passing stand in contrast to the more defensive roles of his rivals.
Statistical comparisons underscore De Jong’s strengths in ball handling. He averages 3.79 progressive carries per game, significantly higher than Ugarte’s 0.74 and Berge’s 1.92. His advanced passing stats are also superior, with 9.32 passes into the final third compared to Ugarte’s 4.05 and Berge’s 4.91.
Football commentator Ben Mattinson has suggested that United’s interest in De Jong reflects their desire for a “progressive monster” in midfield. While De Jong is more renowned for his offensive contributions, he is also a capable defender. Despite his apparent mismatch with United’s ideal profile of a ball-winner, De Jong’s addition would undoubtedly enhance the team’s midfield quality, making his potential move an exciting prospect for fans.
