Barcelona have reportedly ‘decided to sell’ midfielder Frenkie De Jong this summer after he was linked with a move to Manchester United.
Manchester United are known to be in the transfer market for a number of players this summer, including a central defender, a right-sided forward, and a striker, though adding recruits in central midfield where their needs are at their most.
Scott McTominay and Fred have often been the go-to pairing for both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick in recent seasons, but have faced criticism for their lack of defensive quality and tactical discipline, with a defence-minded midfielder set to feature high on United’s wish list.
However, the Red Devils are also facing the prospect of a number of players in the middle of the park leaving this summer, with Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard all out of contract next month, while Nemanja Matic has already confirmed his intention to leave.
The appointment of Erik ten Hag this summer is expected to trigger the start of a huge rebuild of the Old Trafford outfit, and the current Ajax boss is unsurprisingly being linked with a host of players with who he is, or has previously worked with in Amsterdam.
One of those names is Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, the midfielder having been a standout performer for the Dutch giants on their road to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19, his performances earning him a £65m move to the Nou Camp.
De Jong has struggled for consistency since moving to Catalonia, though Barcelona sporting director Jordi Cruyff has recently stated his intention to keep the 24-year-old.
However, according to a report in Spanish publication, AS, that stance could have perhaps shifted who say that Barcelona have now ‘decided’ to sell.
They say that Xavi’s side have ‘closed an agreement’ worth €20m to sign Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler, with Barcelona looking to obtain €70m from the sale of De Jong.
United aren’t the only side to be interested in the Netherlands international though, with Bayern Munich and PSG having been linked in recent weeks, while other Premier League sides are said to have ‘tested his situation’.
