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Manchester United 'still keeping tabs on Frenkie de Jong situation'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 09 September 2022

Man United 'still keeping tabs on De Jong situation'

Manchester United are reportedly still monitoring Frenkie De Jong's situation at Barcelona following their failure to sign the midfielder in the summer.

Manchester United are reportedly still keeping a close eye on Frenkie de Jong's situation at Barcelona.

The Netherlands international was involved in a protracted summer transfer saga with the Red Devils, who were determined to acquire his services from La Blaugrana.

Erik ten Hag had identified his former Ajax starlet as a priority target for the middle of the park, and Barcelona had reportedly accepted a £63m package from Man United in the summer.

However, De Jong had no interest in making the switch from Catalonia to Manchester, and the transfer window shut with the 25-year-old still on the books with Xavi's side.

Nevertheless, journalist Pete O'Rourke believes that the 20-time English champions are still keeping a sharp eye on De Jong's situation as he struggles for regular starts.

Frenkie de Jong in action for Barcelona on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

"I'm sure Manchester United are continuing to monitor the Frenkie de Jong situation at Barcelona," O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT

"It, obviously, was a blow for United not to be able to get that deal over the line because he was their number one target.

Chelsea - who would have been able to offer De Jong Champions League football compared to Man United's Europa League involvement - were also rumoured to have been interested in a summer move for the midfielder.

While De Jong supposedly made it clear that he never had any intention of leaving Barcelona, the issue of the Dutchman's £15.2m deferred wages also complicated matters.

De Jong's existing contract at Camp Nou is not due to expire until the end of the 2025-26 season, but he has seldom been used from the first whistle by Xavi so far this season.

Barcelona boss Xavi on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

The 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the Champions League against Viktoria Plzen in midweek, but he has only started one of his side's opening four La Liga matches.

Gavi and Pedri have been preferred alongside Sergio Busquets in the middle for the most part, and De Jong is also battling for minutes with summer signing Franck Kessie.

As a result, De Jong has made three of his four league appearances this season as a substitute, but he should have a strong chance of starting in Saturday's La Liga clash with Cadiz after Xavi affirmed that Pedri was in need of a rest.

Still waiting for his first goal contribution of the new season, De Jong has scored 13 goals and set up 18 more in 145 appearances for Barcelona since making the £77m move from Ajax in 2019.

The midfielder has only won one Copa del Rey during his time at Camp Nou, and second-placed Barcelona currently sit two points behind champions and current table-toppers Real Madrid in the La Liga standings.