DBasia.news – Frankie de Jong was a priority for Manchester United’s transfer under Erik ten Hag, but the player was reluctant to go to Manchester United and chose to stay. Although a former Dutch legend, Van der Vaart said de Jong could have more playing time with the Red Devils.
Man United tried to take advantage of Barcelona’s financial situation, which needed incoming funds to relieve the club’s debt. The first offer was made at €60 million plus a €10 million bonus.
It was rejected by Barcelona who signed De Jong from Ajax Amsterdam in 2019 for €86 million, but negotiations are still ongoing and Manchester United can increase their price.
The transfer drama can’t be allowed to drag on as both clubs don’t want to finish it before the new season starts, without any preparation. No doubt the former Dutch national team player, Rafael van der Vaart, also gave his advice to De Jong.
According to the former Hamburg captain it would be better for De Jong to move to Man United than Barcelona. The reason is simple: Erik ten Hag has coached De Jong at Ajax and knows how to maximize his potential.
“If I were Frenkie, I would go to Manchester United. There he has a coach who knows exactly what he can and cannot do,” van der Vaart said as quoted by Sport-English.
“There are players at Barcelona who can do the same and maybe better than him or they perform better. While they are there, he is out of place at Barcelona.”
“At United, he can play more like with the Dutch national team. There he is the only one of his kind (a midfielder with a different type of play),” added Van der Vaart.
Man United does need a new midfielder after the departure of Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Juan Mata. In addition, De Jong can play again with Donny van de Beek if he joins Man United.