Manchester United 'to reignite Frenkie de Jong interest this summer'

Manchester United are reportedly planning to reignite their interest in Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong during this summer's transfer window.

The Red Devils spent much of last summer's market pursuing the Netherlands international but were ultimately forced to switch their attention elsewhere, with Casemiro arriving from Real Madrid.

Casemiro has been an influential player for Man United this season, but the club are believed to be keen to move for another high-profile midfielder this summer, with Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and West Ham United's Declan Rice among those to be linked with moves to Old Trafford.

However, according to 90min, De Jong remains top of the club's wishlist, and the Red Devils are willing to make another push to bring him to Manchester over the summer.

The report claims that the interest is being driven by Man United head coach Erik ten Hag, but senior figures at Old Trafford are in agreement that he would be a statement signing.

© Reuters

The 25-year-old insisted on a number of occasions that he wanted to stay at Barcelona last summer, but the club were said to be open to a sale due to their financial problems.

The Netherlands international has been a key player for the Catalan outfit this term, featuring on 31 occasions in all competitions, contributing two goals and one assist in the process.

Meanwhile, the midfielder has another three years left to run on his contract at Camp Nou.

However, there is a feeling that Man United's success this season has put them in a much stronger position to convince De Jong to swap Barcelona for Manchester in the upcoming market.

The 20-time English champions are still on for a quadruple this season, and they landed their first silverware in six years last weekend by beating Newcastle United 2-0 in the EFL Cup final.

© Reuters

De Jong made the move to Barcelona from Ajax in July 2019, and he has represented the La Liga giants on 171 occasions in all competitions, contributing 15 goals and 19 assists in the process.

Last month, Ten Hag lavished praise on the Dutchman ahead of the Europa League knockout round playoff first leg between Barcelona and Man United at Camp Nou.

"So I think we have a class in 2019 that was a team with a lot of fascination and he brings a lot of that fascination, and I think he develops in the years after and here and in Spain he became even better," Ten Hag told reporters at the time.

"He's a fantastic player, plays out from the back, he always has time and it was a pleasure to work with him. I don't know if we wanted him.

"Frenkie is an incredible player and for every club in the whole world he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality. If you can get him in the squad your team will be stronger."

De Jong is believed to be valued by Barcelona in the region of £70m, and Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire could be among those to leave Old Trafford this summer to raise transfer funds.