De Jong ready to accept Manchester United move
Frenkie De Jong was initially about a move to England but seems to have changed his mind. Manchester United hope to close his signing soon and that of another Dutchman, Feyenoord’s Tyrell Malacia.
There have been new developments in Manchester United’s pursuit of Frenkie De Jong. Just a few days ago, United seemed to have given up on getting the Dutch midfielder and started thinking about a possible alternative. The midfielder is Erik ten Hag’s main transfer target this summer. Both worked together at Ajax and the coach trusts him to help him with the facelift his new team needs after a disappointing season.
De Jong seemed quite settled at Barcelona, and the fact that Manchester United will not play in the Champions League next season made the signing less attractive. The Guardian reports, however, that the 25-year-old has changed his mind and is set to reunite with his former Ajax manager. At the Camp Nou they have accepted an offer that would be around 65 million euros but whose extras could boost the final figure to around 85M. Now all that remains is for Manchester United and De Jong to reach an agreement.
Another “imminent” signing
It would be Erik ten Hag’s first signing as United manager. Or maybe the second... another Dutch defender, Tyrell Malacia, is close to joining and that deal could go through before De Jong’s. Olympique Lyon offered 12 million euros (plus three in extras) for Malacia but it looks like United have hijacked the deal by entering into negotiations on Monday night. United’s bid is for 15 million (plus two in extras), as Feyenoord’s sports director Frank Arnesen explained in statements to a Dutch news outlet: “There is an agreement, the only thing missing is Tyrell’s approval. If he accepts, the transfer to Manchester United is imminent”.
Malacia is 22 years old and has stood out in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord, attracting the attention of what could be his new coach, Erik ten Hag, in a match against Ajax. He has made 136 appearances for the Rotterdam-based club and has been a full international five times. He debuted in September of last year under Louis van Gaal. The left-back will have to compete with Luke Shaw and Alex Telles for a place in United’s starting XI.