Manchester United’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong has not been smooth sailing, to say the least, and it is a deal that nobody knows how it will end at present.
The Dutchman has been Man United’s main target this summer and the Red Devils have already agreed a deal with Barcelona to sign the midfielder for €75m guaranteed with an additional €10m in add-ons reports The Athletic.
The main problem for Man United is trying to agree personal terms with De Jong as it has been widely reported that the 25-year-old does not want to leave Spain this summer and therefore, the Manchester club will need to have alternatives lined up in case the Dutch international can not be convinced to move to Old Trafford this summer.
One alternative that has been linked to Man United is Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves. The Portugal international has been a long-term target for the Red Devils and earlier in the week, it was reported by the Express, that Neves and Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans were players on United’s radar.
United probed signing the Portugal star last year, only for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to end up prioritising the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo instead. Even if Solskjaer was not overly keen, Bruno Fernandes was one man that was desperate for the Wolves man to join the club states the Express.
Last year, journalist Dean Jones told The Football Terrace that Fernandes would be in favour of his compatriot joining – and that the club were aware of that. The journalist stated via the Express: “Bruno Fernandes is obviously very keen for Neves to join and the club are aware of that.”
Whether this is an option for Man United now, isn’t 100% known, but the club have not given up on De Jong; who will be their main concern over the next few days.
Hei without F.De Jong, i don’t see any man united target who can fit Ten Hag’s system right now. May be Ruben Neves!!!
pls, Manchester united board and those in charge of buying players should pull out of signing this De jong of a thing. Can him alone play the ball for the club? why trying to force a player who is not ready to come to man utd. He is not a regular starter in Baca. pls, use the money to buy other players. When will this end? pls, go and sign Anthony before Liverpool gets him and Ruben Neves.
I think utd should consider about our defence than midfield though there are some problems because if you look at our opponents’ striking line like man city with haaland and look at our defence which is still the same as last season’s, we can’t compete them! There after that, our striking is still bad