As of the last transfer window, Manchester United’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona was one of the major storylines, but ultimately, United did not secure the Dutch midfielder before the deadline.
Background
- Interest in De Jong: Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag, was heavily linked with Frenkie de Jong throughout the summer transfer window. Ten Hag, who previously coached De Jong at Ajax, was keen on reuniting with the midfielder to strengthen United’s midfield.
- Negotiations: United had extensive discussions with Barcelona over the potential transfer. The two clubs reportedly agreed on a fee of around €75 million, but the deal was complicated by issues surrounding De Jong’s deferred wages and his reluctance to leave Barcelona.
- De Jong’s Stance: Despite Manchester United’s interest and Barcelona’s willingness to sell due to their financial issues, De Jong consistently expressed his desire to stay at Barcelona. He reiterated his commitment to the Catalan club and was not interested in moving to Old Trafford.
Final Decision
- No Transfer: As the deadline approached, Manchester United ultimately decided not to push further for De Jong’s transfer. The complexities of the deal, combined with De Jong’s preference to stay at Barcelona, led United to explore other options.
- Alternative Signings: Instead of continuing their pursuit of De Jong, Manchester United focused on other targets. They secured the signing of other midfielders, including Sofyan Amrabat on loan from Fiorentina, to bolster their midfield options.
Conclusion
Manchester United did not sign Frenkie de Jong during the summer transfer window. The club made a final decision to respect the player’s desire to remain at Barcelona and shifted their focus to other targets to meet their squad needs. The saga highlighted the challenges of modern transfers, particularly when a player is reluctant to move.
