Manchester United have renewed their interest in signing Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, according to a recent report by Michael Plant for Manchester World.
The Red Devils, led by manager Erik ten Hag, are reportedly eager to secure a deal for the 27-year-old midfielder, a long-term transfer target whose name has consistently been linked with Old Trafford.
Two years ago, following Ten Hag’s appointment, Manchester United were on the verge of finalising a £71.5 million transfer for De Jong.
However, the deal fell through as the Dutch international declined the move, leading United to pivot towards Casemiro, whom they acquired from Real Madrid for £70 million.
Casemiro’s debut season in the Premier League was impressive, helping United secure the Carabao Cup and Champions League qualification.
However, his performance in the subsequent season was underwhelming, with concerns about his ability to meet the physical demands of Ten Hag’s system. Speculation has even arisen that Casemiro may be nearing the end of his prime years, leading to speculation about his potential departure.
This leaves United reflecting on their missed opportunity to sign De Jong in 2022 and considering whether to revisit that potential transfer.
Recent reports indicate that United officials have made a tentative approach to Barcelona to gauge De Jong’s availability.
The club is reportedly open to negotiating a deal in the range of £30 million to £40 million, significantly less than the amount discussed two summers ago.
Financial Fair Play regulations are influencing United’s transfer strategy, as they are constrained by their budget and must sell players to fund new acquisitions.
