Can Frankie be convinced?

When Frenkie de Jong just left Ajax for Barcelona, ​​it was felt that this union was serious and for a long time. By the time of the move, the young Dutchman had highlighted his place at the start of the Amsterdam squad, playing a decisive role in building the team’s game. Ajaxids, on the other hand, had a very successful 2018/2019 season: Real Madrid passed the Champions League playoffs, then Juventus, but stopped a step away from the final (lost to Tottenham).

The names of Ajax players were well known, so the transfer of status corresponded to the image of the Catalans: it only remained to adapt to the game of the new team.

For three seasons, de Jong got used to Barcelona: he regularly appeared on the pitch in matches of the Spanish league (98 games), managed to score 8 goals and give 9 assists. And in this context, suddenly rumors about a possible sale began to appear.

Manchester United ready to give 85 million euros

The first insiders emerged in April: according to Catalunya Ràdio, a new mentor wants to work with the 25-year-old midfielder Manchester United Eric ten Hag. Under his leadership, de Jong played successfully for Ajax. It was reported that the Mancunian leadership was ready to pay around 70 million euros in compensation to the “blue garnet”. The amount of the transaction, which was called mass mediait grew gradually and eventually stopped at around 85 million.

For United, the option to acquire de Jong is seen as promising: the midfielder, using the example of playing for Barcelona, ​​has shown that he is able to adapt to the realities of the new league. In addition, ten Hag knows the strengths of the Dutch midfielder: you can count on the game of the Red Devils to build around him. Midfielder Donia van de Beek, who De Jong knows well from his Ajax career, will also help adapt.

The move could very well cover the loss of Paul Pogba. With his departure, the microclimate of the team should improve: while the French player was playing for United, rumors constantly appeared about his desire to leave, then about his intention to stay, then about dissatisfaction with his salary. And if the very fact of parting with Pogba will have a positive effect on the team atmosphere, then de Jong levels the losses in the game plan.

Barcelona need the money

Returning to the first reports of the possibility of selling Frenkie de Jong, it was said that the same representatives of Barcelona offered the services of a footballer to European clubs during the negotiations. The financial problems of the Catalan team have not disappeared, as Barça president Joan Laporta said last summer:

We expected a loss of around € 200 million, but in reality we are heading towards a record € 487 million, we will have to work even harder and better with sponsors … Disproportionate payments have been found to intermediaries who were not even agents. It cost us 40 million euros.

Shortly before the end of last season, the coach of the “blue garnet” Xavi remarked:

I consider it [де Йонга] a very important player. He almost always came out in the starting line-up, if the rotation is not taken into account. He is a system player. But you have to take into account the financial situation in which the club is located. It’s not just about Frankie, I mean the situation as a whole … I play an important role in the decision-making process, but it all depends on the financial situation.

According to the latest data provided by Marca, for the remaining 4 years of the contract, the Catalans will have to pay de Jong 88.58 million euros, excluding any bonuses. After the signing of the agreement, the Dutch midfielder’s fixed salary at Barca was 14 million euros.

As a result, by refusing de Jong’s services, Barcelona will lose a base player, but will be able to improve their financial situation: they will free up a place on the payroll and receive compensation.

De Jong is in no hurry to accept a transfer

The deal looks like a win for everyone, but Frankie himself probably isn’t keen to move to England. In April of this year, a journalist from Catalunya Radio described the situation:

The only option Frenkie de Jong will accept is to work with Erik ten Hag. Also, she wants to join a top club. Xavi wants Frankie to stay, but if United comes to offer 70 million euros, Barça will try to convince him to leave.

At the end of June, it was reported that De Jong would be joining Manchester United in the near future. But first, Cadena SER reported that the 25-year-old midfielder hadn’t accepted the transfer.

“I am very happy to be at Barcelona: I wanted to be here from an early age, so in this sense my dream has come true. But, of course, I’d like to win more trophies than we’ve won in the first two years. I expected more in this sense, let’s put it this way. But apart from that I am very happy here and I hope it will be for many more years ”. de Jong told The Guardian in February.

The Dutchman’s position is quite understandable: de Jong has been in Barcelona for several years. He understands the Catalans’ game and his place in it, he regularly appears in the first team. The prospects in Spain are clearer: after all, the “blue garnet” has become the silver medal of La Liga and will play in the Champions League next season. Manchester United as he settles for the sixth line and is unlikely to rise to the top 3 in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, it is not a fact that the Mancunians, who only got rid of Pogba’s difficult contract this summer, will be able to agree on conditions comparable to those of Frankie at Barca.

So far de Jong sees a better prospect of staying with the Catalans, but then he will have to reduce financial appetites – and the deal between Blaugrana and Manchester United approach.