Numerous reports are suggesting that Manchester United are edging closer to striking a deal with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong.
The Manchester Evening News previously reported the midfielder is a primary target for new boss Erik ten Hag. An exit from the Nou Camp has been made more likely by Barcelona’s dire financial situation, which sees them sunk in around £1bn’s worth of debt.
Ten Hag is keen to renew ties with the playmaker, the 25-year-old being part of his Ajax squad that made it to the 2019 Champions League semi-finals. In the January prior, he had secured a move to Spain for the following summer, so stayed on to lift the Eredivisie title with the Dutch giants.
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Upon his £65million move, he chose the No.21 shirt out of the options available instead of the No.14 synonymous with Netherlands and Barca icon Johan Cruyff. De Jong later admitted that, while he would be fine wearing any jersey, he picked the number as a tribute to his grandfather.
Speaking to Voetbal International in 2019, he explained: “I feel comfortable with that number. I could easily play with another number, you know, it’s not a problem, but it is nice that it also gives people a way of recognising me.
“I brought 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 Edinson Cavani leaving this month upon the expiration of his contract, De Jong could step into the No.21 United jersey if he is signed by Ten Hag. Cavani himself only moved into the number this season after the Premier League gave special dispensation for Cristiano Ronaldo to take up his iconic No.7 shirt after the season had begun.
Dan James had occupied the No.21 shirt before Cavani prior to the Welshman’s switch to Leeds United.
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