Will Barca sell him? 

Expensive but potentially necessary – Why Man Utd need to sign Frenkie de Jong this summer

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Manchester United will undoubtedly be forced to spend a lot of money in the summer transfer window. New manager Erik ten Hag is now in charge and the former Ajax head coach is likely to oversee a huge turnover of players, as he begins one of the biggest rebuilds in European football history. And it may begin with one of his former players. 

According to countless reports in Spain and England, the Red Devils are dead set on making a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong when the transfer window opens. According to the Daily Mail, the Old Trafford club would not be willing to spend more than £70 million on the player this summer but there’s no denying that Man Utd may be in desperate need of a player of his abilities on the pitch next season. 

Market Value

F. de Jong

Central Midfield

€45.00m

Pogba and Matic out – Man Utd are in need of new central midfielders

While the English club may be hoping to play it cool in negotiating a low fee for De Jong, who is currently worth £63m, the club may need to accept that their current squad dynamics will dictate a degree of urgency in their pursuit of the Netherlands international. In other words, Man Utd simply need to sign a central midfielder this summer if they want to succeed next season. 

Player Comparison

Frenkie de Jong

Paul Pogba

FC Barcelona

Without Club

€45.00m
Market Value
–

27
Age
31

Central Midfield
Position
Central Midfield

Jun 30, 2026
Contract until
–

Full Player Comparison

That, unfortunately for the club, is due to experienced and talented players now looking set to leave the club at the end of the season. Nemanja Matić has already confirmed that he will leave for free when his contract comes to an end this summer and Paul Pogba remains likely to follow him out the exit door unless a dramatic u-turn can be made in his contract negotiations with the club. 

Staff

E. ten Hag
Age: 55

Ajax Amsterdam

Season 21/22
–

Eredivisie

Games
34

Won
26

Draw
5

Lost
3

As such, not only would Man Utd like a player like De Jong in their squad next season, but they may need him to fill in for the aforementioned departures, as well as providing far better performances than the club’s current group of midfielders were able to offer this season. The Dutch star isn’t just a transfer target for Man Utd, but also a potential solution to all their problems.