After a dazzling display in Rotterdam in the Nations League this month, Wales boss Rob Page said that Frankie De Jong was one of the best his team had faced. He added: ‘Let’s hope for fans’ sake he is playing in the Premier League next season.’If Declan Rice is valued at 170 million euros, then getting De Jong for a third of that is a steal. And it could happen if the Barcelona midfielder joins the Red Devils for the speculated price of just under 65 million euros. And it looks like Manchester United are close to signing the Dutchman.🚨 @ManUtd have agreed deals in principle to sign Frenkie De Jong and Tyrell Malacia, reports @SamuelLuckhurst 🇳🇱The first two signings of the Erik Ten Hag era ✍️ pic.twitter.com/BdIwuZiE6B— SPORF (@Sporf) June 29, 2022 De Jong has had success with new Man United manager Erik ten Hag and the player’s versatility can help the rebuild at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old has been ten Hag’s No1 target ever since he arrived at the club and Sportsmail sources have indicated a deal between United and Barcelona for the Netherlands star is ’90 per cent’ complete, with just the finer details left to conclude.Indeed, De Jong’s close relationship with Ten Hag has been one of the key factors in his decision and agreeing personal terms is unlikely to be a problem. There is optimism that the transfer will be completed this week.Back in 2015, De Jong’s former club Ajax struck a deal with Willem II and the clubs were haggling over a fee of about 850,000 euros and could not find a number that both were happy with. Eventually, the player moved to Amsterdam for a symbolic sum of one euro, with Willem guaranteed a percentage of any future sale.Thu 03:30: (3.30) Deportivo Tolima (3.15) Flamengo (2.35)Although the potential transfer to Man United will not be anywhere near as lucrative for the Red Devils as that one in 2015 was for the Amsterdamers – getting a greatly talented player in his prime for 65 million euros could be labeled as a great deal.Were circumstances different, Barcelona would not even contemplate selling De Jong, a player at the peak of his powers. Yet the Catalan giants’ financial situation means they need to sell at least one big name this summer and De Jong is a prize asset, while Barcelona also have teenage Spain stars Pedri and Gavi in midfield.Both are adored by supporters and were either sold, it would make president Joan Laporta hugely unpopular. Despite his quality, De Jong is different. He was bought from Ajax for 75 million euros and had no previous affinity with Barcelona.The cunning Manchester United have arranged their first transfer the summer – by stealing Lyon’s targetDe Jong can control the pace of a game in the manner of Luka Modric or Marco Verratti, while also possessing a burst of pace over a short distance, brilliant vision and flawless touch and awareness and he is a potential star of this winter’s World Cup. The 25-year-old was a key member of the Ajax team who reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 under Ten Hag, before they were defeated in heart-breaking fashion by Tottenham.
