Frenkie de Jong Struggles At Barcelona While Man Utd Have A New 'Perfect' Midfield

Jimmy Henton

Last summer, Frankie De Jong was the biggest target of Manchester United and was so close to a contract. Erik ten Hag brought him up to Ajax’s first team from the academy ranks as a center-back, then converted him into a freewheeling defensive midfielder. And the Netherlands coach needs De Jong to strengthen the M.U power at midfield, where Fred and McTominay didn’t live up to the fan's expectations and Bruno Fernandes didn’t have the best performance at that time.
De Jong is a versatile midfielder, known for his vision, passing, dribbling, and technique, along with strong defensive abilities and attacking prowess. But he also said Barca still be his dream while Manchester United came in for criticisms with bad results. There’s no surprise when the Barcelona star turned down the offer. Instead of De Jong, United brought Casemiro from Real Madrid for £70 million and has proven himself since arriving at Old Trafford. But both Eriksen and Caseriro can be the future of Manchester United when they are all 30 years old.

However, Frankie De Jong is no longer the biggest target when Erik ten Hag is now considered to aim at Jude Bellingham for Manchester United’s midfield shortlist, according to reports.
According to the Daily Mirror, Ten Hag is interested in the 19-year-old Bellingham and wants the club to prioritize a move in the next summer.Dortmund offer €150 million (£128.9 million) for Bellingham next summer, according to Bild, with the German club already resigned to losing their star midfielder at the end of the season.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, and Real Madrid are reported to follow the young star midfielder.

Meanwhile, De Jong found difficulty staying in Barcelona for the financial issue of his club. Last month, the Dutch international told that Barcelona president Joan Laporta was among those attempting to persuade him to leave Camp Nou.
‘I was calm,’ De Jong explained to Ziggo Sport. ‘I made the decision to stay in May.’