When Erik ten Hag led Ajax to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019, there were two young players who stood out. Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt were two of the hottest players in the transfer market this summer. De Jong chose Barcelona, Mathijs de Ligt’s road ahead became more tortuous. Earlier this year, a potential reunion at Manchester United was announced.
Frenkie de Jong is the player who has been heavily linked to Manchester United since 2022. Ten Hag pushed to bring his Ajax midfield general to Old Trafford, De Jong refused to budge from Barcelona. Even with Ten Hag out of the picture in Manchester, the 27-year-old is still being linked with United, where De Ligt already plays. Now the Dutch international has clearly made his choice.
De Jong has 242 appearances, 19 goals and 22 assists in the Barca shirt. This season started with an ankle injury, but although the playmaker returned in October, Hansi Flick has only given De Jong crumbs of playing time this season. Still, according to The Athletic, the Dutchman’s clear first priority is to extend his contract with Barcelona.
The English media claims Barcelona sent an offer to De Jong in early January, without the player responding. Now De Jong has also sat down at the negotiating table, it is reported.
The contract expires in the summer of 2026, the sporting director Deco demands that all players in the Barcelona squad should have more than one year left on their contract when the 2025/26 season starts. It is clear that De Jong and Barcelona have agreed to reach an agreement before the end of the season.
With this, the link to Manchester United is erased, probably for good.
