BARCELONA midfielder Frenkie de Jong IS reportedly keen on joining Manchester United despite his public stance that he intends to stay in Catalonia.
And it has been claimed that the 25-year-old is in constant contact with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag over a reunion at the Theatre of Dreams.
Frenkie de Jong is reportedly keen to join Manchester United from Barcelona this summer
Erik ten Hag is understood to be desperate to be reunited with former Ajax star De Jong
The Red Devils have made landing the Holland international their top priority this summer.
United had thought they had struck a £71million deal earlier this week.
But the potential transfer hit a snag regarding £17million in deferred wages owed to De Jong.
There have even been doubts as to whether the player even wants to join United.
However SunSport understands that Old Trafford chiefs remain convinced he will link up with them.
That is despite De Jong being part of Barca’s travelling squad for their pre-season tour of America, where he will spend the next fortnight.
According to the Mirror, United are prepared to wait until the final day of the window to secure the services of De Jong.
They state he is publicly declaring he doesn’t want to leave Barca in his bid to be paid what is owed to him after he took a reduction in wages during the coronavirus pandemic.
But privately, he is willing to make the move to England where he is in ‘constant dialogue’ with Ten Hag over a United switch.
De Jong and his agent Ali Dursan believe expressing a public wish to join United will weaken their position to collect his deferred wages.
Despite fans being confused as to why United are in for a player that seemingly has no interest, Chief Executive Richard Arnold and Director of Football John Murtagh are aware of De Jong’s strategy and have no plans to give up their pursuit.
As of yet, Ten Hag is said to have not told Arnold or Murtagh to target any alternatives to De Jong with the club gambling on a transfer materialising.
Ten Hag views De Jong as central to his plans, and he was the first player he spoke to when he agreed to take over from interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
