Manchester United missed out on the opportunity to sign Frenkie de Jong last summer, despite several offers made to Barcelona for the midfielder. However, the Red Devils are expected to revive their interest in the 25-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window. Former United striker Dwight Yorke has given an insight into why De Jong rejected the club’s advances, revealing that the Dutch star wanted to see how Barcelona would fare under new guidance before making a decision. Yorke believes that De Jong would be an excellent addition to United’s midfield, providing stability and forming a solid core to the team if he were to join.
De Jong was part of the Barcelona side that was knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United last month. While Xavi’s side fell short in Europe, they have enjoyed a superb domestic campaign, moving nine points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Meanwhile, United suffered an embarrassing 7-0 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend but have largely impressed under manager Erik ten Hag, climbing to third in the Premier League and winning the EFL Cup.
Despite missing out on De Jong last summer, United have continued to be linked with a move for the midfielder. Ten Hag was keen to reunite with his former Ajax star following his appointment at Old Trafford, but De Jong refused to leave the Nou Camp, forcing United and Ten Hag to turn to other targets. However, given De Jong’s relationship with Ten Hag, United were hopeful of securing his signature.
Yorke spoke with De Jong at the A-League All Stars Game in Sydney last May and got an insight into why the Dutch star was going to reject Manchester United’s advances. According to Yorke, De Jong wanted to see what Barcelona would become under the new guidance of Xavi and see how that panned out before he decided if he wanted to join Manchester United. Despite this setback, Yorke still hopes that De Jong will eventually join United, as he believes that the midfielder would be a great pick for the club.
De Jong is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe and has been a key player for Barcelona since joining the club from Ajax in 2019. He has made 72 appearances for Barca, scoring four goals and providing six assists. The Netherlands international is known for his technical ability, vision, and passing range, and would be a valuable addition to any team.
Manchester United are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window as they look to build on their recent success under Ten Hag. The club has been linked with several high-profile players, including Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane. However, it remains to be seen whether United will be able to secure their top targets, as they face stiff competition from other clubs across Europe.
In conclusion, Manchester United missed out on Frenkie de Jong last summer, but are expected to revive their interest in the midfielder ahead of the summer transfer window. Dwight Yorke believes that De Jong would be an excellent addition to United’s midfield, providing stability and forming a solid core to the team if he were to join. Despite rejecting United’s advances last summer, De Jong remains a highly sought-after player and is likely to attract interest from several top clubs across Europe.