Numerous reports suggest Manchester United are getting closer to closing a deal with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong.
The Manchester Evening News previously reported that the midfielder is a primary target for new boss Erik ten Hag. A departure from Camp Nou has been made more likely by Barcelona’s dire financial situation, which has sunk them into around £1bn in debt.
Ten Hag would like to renew ties with the playmaker, the 25-year-old is part of his Ajax selection that reached the semi-finals of the Champions League 2019. The previous January, he had secured a move to Spain for the following summer, so he continued to win the Eredivisie title with the Dutch giants.
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On his £65m move, he chose the number 21 shirt from the available options rather than the number 14 which is synonymous with Netherlands and Barça icon Johan Cruyff. De Jong later admitted that although he would not wear any jersey, he had chosen the song as a tribute to his grandfather.
Speaking to Voetbal International in 2019, he explained: “I’m comfortable with that song. I could easily play with another song, you know, it’s not a problem, but it’s nice that it gives people a way to recognize me.”
“I took my whole family to my presentation in Barcelona, except my grandfather Hans de Jong, my father’s father. He died on the day of my 21st birthday.
“Unconsciously, it is also a kind of tribute. He was a huge football fan.”
With the departure of Edinson Cavani this month after his contract expires, De Jong could step into the No.21 United jersey if he is signed by Ten Hag. Cavani himself only came into the number this season after the Premier League gave special dispensation to Cristiano Ronaldo to take on his iconic number 7 shirt after the season started.
Dan James had occupied the number 21 shirt for Cavani prior to the Welshman’s move to Leeds United.
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