Source: pixabay
Erik ten Hag knows that key signings will be important for Manchester United, as the
52-year-old Dutchman embarks upon the challenging task of shaping a new team. Every
area of the squad needs careful attention and reinforcing, although extra special focus
will be placed upon strengthening in midfield.
Options in midfield are currently threadbare, following the departures of Paul Pogba,
Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard, who all departed Old Trafford as free
agents. The club’s technical department is evaluating a number of potential options,
although top of the shopping list is Frenkie de Jong at Barcelona, who Erik ten Hag
believes can be the keystone his new project can be built around.
Such is the emphasis on landing Frenkie de Jong this summer, other high profile
considerations have been cast aside. The best example was a proposed move for
Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez, who eventually joined Premier League rivals
Liverpool, after Manchester United refused to participate in a bidding war and withdrew
their interest.
Barcelona continue to stand their ground
Securing the services of a top-quality midfielder remains the priority, which is why
Erik ten Hag expects the Manchester United board to complete their objective, despite
numerous obstacles in their path. First and foremost is the need to agree a transfer fee,
given that an initial bid worth around £52 million has already been rejected by
Barcelona.
The Spanish giants regard the player as one of their most prized assets, although this is
also offset by pressing financial constraints at Barcelona, who desperately need to raise
funds over the next month or two. They are believed to want upwards of £72 million for
the Dutch midfield maestro, implying some serious haggling ahead for Manchester
United.
Another matter which needs to be addressed is convincing the player. The 25-year-old
appears to be very happy living in Spain, having recently bought a new property and
thus far indicating his reluctance to move elsewhere. “I am at the biggest club in the
world at the moment and I feel fine there,” he underlined at a recent press conference,
whilst on international duty with the Netherlands.
Frenkie de Jong closes the door on Manchester United was the headline at Marca, the
Spanish sports media outlet famed for how they sensationalise transfer stories, taking
his most recent comments as an outright denial regarding any proposed move to
England. While that may be somewhat premature, it does indicate that Manchester
United and Erik ten Hag still needs to convince their priority target.
Bookies confident of Manchester United pulling power
As one of the most high-profile transfer stories of the summer, this is one that could
take some time to be resolved, although bookies continue to remain convinced that
Frenkie de Jong will eventually join Manchester United. Indeed, odds would suggest
there is a far greater chance of that outcome, than of the Dutchman choosing to remain
at Barcelona, particularly given the emphasis placed on his capture by the Red Devils.
But alongside comparing odds, savvy punters will always look at the bigger picture
before choosing where to wager.
Advice on how to identify safe betting sites can be
found via SBO, whose experts utilise their profound industry experience, reviewing and
recommending only the best options available. This includes evaluating numerous
factors, such as the quality of customer service and variety of betting markets available.
Undoubtedly, any updates regarding Frenkie de Jong will attract plenty of attention, as
Manchester United fans eagerly await news of their biggest summer target. Odds will
undoubtedly fluctuate over the coming weeks, yet most people believe Frenkie de Jong
is destined to reunite with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. In truth,
only time and the willingness of Barcelona to sell, will ultimately decide the outcome of
this transfer story.