Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong returned to action at the start of the month after five months missing through an ankle injury. It is his longest injury lay-off since he came to Barcelona, and he is facing a crucial season in terms of defining his future, with Manchester United, as ever, on the horizon.
According to Sport, Erik ten Hag is trying to save his job at Manchester United, and he has underlined the impact that signing de Jong could have on the Red Devils. He will advocate once again for de Jong’s signing in January, although naturally this will hinge on him proving his fitness before 2025.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is keen to use de Jong, and has full faith in his ability, but will follow the club’s line on the matter. ten Hag seems him as a potential catalyst to turning things around at Old Trafford.
Unless de Jong has changed his mind on leaving the Blaugrana though, ten Hag or United’s ambitions are likely to be futile. With contract talks stone cold for the Dutchman, and his up in 2026, Barcelona would no doubt be delighted to accept a large fee for de Jong. There is plenty of talk about contract renewals, but that does not include de Jong, who some say will run down his deal and leave on a free.