- Manchester United came agonisingly close to signing the midfielder in 2022
- Ten Hag managed De Jong for two seasons at Ajax, where they won the double
- CHRIS SUTTON: Erik ten Hag is still on trial. He needs more than gradual improvement this season to keep his job – It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Frenkie de Jong is closer than ever to a Barcelona exit, having grown discontent with the current situation at the club, according to reports.
The 26-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in 2022, as his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag set about building his squad upon his Old Trafford arrival.
United eventually made a £70m bid for him and a deal was nearly 90 per cent complete. However, despite sending club representatives out to Spain, United were unable to formalise a deal, with De Jong admitting that he wanted to stay at the LaLiga outfit.
Now 18 months later, the Netherlands international appears to be ready to depart the Spanish club as they continue to underwhelm on and off the pitch.
According to Relevo, the defensive midfielder’s situation this summer will be completely different, with there now being a willingness from both the player and club to part ways.
Frenkie De Jong is reportedly ready to call time on his Barcelona career, having tried so hard to stay in 2022
Erik ten Hag was determined to bring in the defensive midfielder when he arrived at the club
De Jong is reportedly disappointed with the club’s current position and believes expectations have not been met, particularly when it comes to challenging for the Champions League.
Barcelona sit third in LaLiga, though there is no doubt their campaign has been below par. Their poor run of results saw Xavi announce that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
De Jong has not been exempt from those on-field failures. He has made 15 appearances in the league this term but has been far from the version of himself that prompted a clamour for his services in 2019.
The club’s dire financial woes also persist, with players like De Jong still receiving outstanding wages that had been deferred from even more trying economic times.
All of this reportedly equates to…