Frenkie de Jong remains top of Manchester United’s list of targets for the upcoming transfer window, 90min understands.
The Dutch midfielder, who was subject of an ultimately unsuccessful three-month long pursuit last summer, is still wanted by United manager Erik ten Hag, and the club are willing to make another attempt to lure him from Barcelona ahead of next season.
United would like to add extra quality to their options in central midfield and do have other targets in the position, but they are set to explore the possibility of signing 25-year-old De Jong as their first port of call due to Ten Hag’s desire to sign the player and Barcelona’s difficult financial position. La Liga president Javier Tebas earlier this week ruled the club would need to make cuts before buying this summer.
De Jong’s ability to transition the ball through midfield made him a key part of Ten Hag’s successful Ajax team of years past, and the manager believes his traits could elevate United’s quality in that area moving forward.
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United felt they had enough of an indication from the player last summer to continue pushing for a transfer, with an issue of Barcelona’s failure to repay millions in deferred wages to the player the main stumbling block. They are set to revisit the situation this time around, though also have other targets to strengthen their options in midfield.
Ten Hag’s side also hold interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, though are reserved on the player as he has not yet indicated enough willingness to join for United to step up a pursuit. Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are very much heading the chase for the England man.
It remains imperative for United however to this summer raise funds through player sales, and a number of first team options are available for the right price. United are aiming to correct their wage bill and earn themselves more working room amid shrinking Financial Fair Play restrictions, with a spending cap on wages, transfers and agents’ fees to 70% of a club’s total revenue by 2025/2026 introduced by UEFA.
Academy graduate Scott McTominay is wanted by a number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle and West Ham, and United are willing to sell the player after nearly a season working under Ten Hag. United are hoping that the interest from a range of league rivals could drive the selling price up to in the region of between £25m and £30m.
90min also listed Everton, Southampton, Leeds and Leicester as…
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