Manchester United are weighing up a potential £75million move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Incoming United manager Erik ten Hag has identified De Jong, 25, as an ideal target, having coached him at Ajax and the Manchester Evening News understands United have contacted Barcelona about De Jong's potential availability.
Barcelona and United sources have suggested reports of an imminent deal are wide of the mark but United are determined to move swiftly for a midfielder to offset the imminent departures of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
Pogba is believed to favour rejoining Juventus, despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain. Read more: Garnacho and United give fans what they have been waiting for in FA Youth Cup final De Jong is contracted to Barcelona until 2026, having joined the club from Ajax for £65m in 2019, but the emergence of Pedri and Gavi in midfield has plunged his future into doubt.
The Catalan club have also experienced financial problems and De Jong's sale could be needed to help fund new signings. Derek Langley, the former United head of recruitment at academy level, encouraged United to sign De Jong when he was a teenager but was vetoed.
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