Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag reportedly thinks Frenkie de Jong is worth ‘every penny’ as he looks to land the Barcelona star. However, while that’s the case, the Red Devils board think differently. And with the transfer saga ongoing, there’s still no conclusion in sight.
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Yet he’s reportedly resigned to leaving Barcelona behind for a new challenge after Xavi said he could be sold for economic reasons.
Ten Hag also wants De Jong because he feels his former Ajax pupil would be a ‘statement’ signing for the club.
And he’s keen on Eriksen, too, just over a year after the Denmark international suffered a cardiac arrest at the European Championships.
United have tabled a contract offer to the midfielder.
Yet while the financial terms of the deal are ‘acceptable’ to the 30-year-old, he may end up returning to Tottenham instead.
Man Utd transfer news: Erik ten Hag thinks Frenkie de Jong can be a statement signing (Image: GETTY)
Eriksen previously flourished for the north London giants, establishing himself as a popular player among fans in the process.
And Tottenham are keen to bring the playmaker back to the capital, especially given they’ve got Champions League football to offer.
Regarding De Jong, former Spurs and Real Madrid star Rafael van der Vaart recently opened up on his fellow Dutchman.
And he And he urged his compatriot to leave the Nou Camp behind, saying: "I will explain to you why Frenkie is so good at the national team, because he's the only midfielder with these type of qualities here and he does what he wants.
“At Barca there is Pedri, Gavi, Busquets and so on. All of a sudden he starts adjusting again.
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Man Utd transfer news: Christian Eriksen is another Erik ten Hag target (Image: GETTY)
"At Manchester United it will be just like at the national team, being the only one with his type of qualities.
“I would move to Manchester United if I was him, just do it!"
If De Jong does move to England, he’ll become the ninth player to play for both United and Barcelona.
Henrik Larsson, Mark Hughes, Laurent Blanc, Jordi Cruyff, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexis Sanchez have turned out for both teams over the years.
De Jong could also become United’s 10th signing from La Liga, too, with Raphael Varane the last to arrive from Spain’s top flight.