Manchester United are interested in signing one of their long-term targets, according to Dutch journalist Jack van Gelder.
The Red Devils are eyeing a marquee midfielder before the transfer deadline and they have identified Paris Saint-Germain ace Manuel Ugarte as their priority choice.
However, the club are also exploring alternative options, and Sport recently claimed they will ‘spare no effort’ to try and sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.
De Jong has been on United’s radar for several years. When asked about the speculation, Van Gelder told De Oranjezomer: “There is indeed great interest in Frenkie from Manchester United.
“Negotiations are ongoing, I understand. In any case, they are working on it.”
United unlikely to sign De Jong before deadline
The Red Devils have been long-term admirers of De Jong from his time at Ajax. They agreed to sign him from Barcelona two years ago, but the Dutchman snubbed the move.
The midfielder continues to remain reluctant to leave the Blaugrana and a deal is unlikely to happen.
The club have only 15 days to sign a marquee midfielder and they can’t afford to enter into a transfer saga for De Jong, who has no desire to leave the Catalan giants.
Even if he changes his stance, a move may not be worthwhile. The 27-year-old picked up an ankle injury in April and he subsequently withdrew from the 2024 European Championship.
De Jong, who was described as ‘world-class‘ by manager Xavi Hernandez last year, has yet to report for training and there is no return date as things stand.
United need someone who can get into the starting XI right away rather than in a few months’ time.
Instead of spending £51 million on De Jong, the club would be better off paying extra (£60m) to sign Ugarte, who is four years younger and much better defensively than the ex-Ajax man.
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