Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

Frenkie to United?


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Seems like we know Barca are financially fecked and are happy to play the waiting game.

I said a few days ago transfers like this never happen quickly. Don't expect an outcome very quick. However I'm also not sure I agree with United being happy with playing the waiting game. I don't think this benefits United at all for two reason. Firstly De Jong is clearly Ten Hag's primary target. But De Jong is also a game changer in the sense that, if you don't get him you need to switch gears and in my opinion this affects your other transfer targets as well.

It seems to me like you are going to sign one high profile signing (which should be De Jong) and then some other signings that fit Ten Hag's gameplan but are also more affordable. However, if De Jong doesn't arrive it changes who you should sign as that high profile signing (and you don't want to lose out on too many options whilst playing the waiting game). On top of that it will change Ten Hag's preffered game plan in terms of the tactics that will be applied next season and that by itself also changes the transfer targets. It's better to have this clarity sooner rather than later.

On top of that you risk losing De Jong by playing the waiting game. At the end of the day United are not playing Champions League football and that's a huge factor for top tier players. The only way you can land those players in that situation is when the manager provides an edge to get that player and/or because you are simply sealing the deal before competition arrives. The fact of the matter is that there are other clubs with competitive advantages over Manchester United and top tier players are always going to favor that. The presence of Ten Hag might provide you with a standout opportunity to land a player like De Jong, but this opportunity can be wasted if competition gets the chance to intervene because you are playing the waiting game.
 
I think we should finalise the deal before a big boy steps in. Once PSG or Bayern show serious interest, we can forget about him. Pay the 60m and move on, he is a huge transfer IMO. If we pay 50 or 60m for him is irrelevant. We can't afford to haggle over this. The other rumoured targets are much less important., as there are alternatives. Here less so.
Nah, we have too big a rebuild to be paying inflated prices when we have bargaining power. If it was the DM, where there are very few top class proponents, I'd feel different. Tchouameni's don't come around that often. FdJ is excellent but also more substitutable.

I think part of the problem is that they need most of that fee right now (before June?) to stay complaint with FFP but I'm not sure.

I assume the accountants can make that work but it'll be another item we're compromising on, so it should strengthen our position.
Then they need to take a haircut on the fee. Like when a tradesperson offers you a discount for cash payment.
 
Nah, we have too big a rebuild to be paying inflated prices when we have bargaining power. If it was the DM, where there are very few top class proponents, I'd feel different. Tchouameni's don't come around that often. FdJ is excellent but also more substitutable.


Then they need to take a haircut on the fee. Like when a tradesperson offers you a discount for cash payment.
I disagree. I think 60 mil for FdJ is actually cheap + he’s likely more needed than a DM. Don’t get me wrong, we need both, but IMO the bigger problem is that we aren’t press resistant at all in midfield and can’t keep the ball well enough. He would solve both those problems to a large extent.
 
The rumour hasnt even been around for a month and we're already calling him fdj. Ruin everything, regret nothing.
 
I said a few days ago transfers like this never happen quickly. Don't expect an outcome very quick. However I'm also not sure I agree with United being happy with playing the waiting game. I don't think this benefits United at all for two reason. Firstly De Jong is clearly Ten Hag's primary target. But De Jong is also a game changer in the sense that, if you don't get him you need to switch gears and in my opinion this affects your other transfer targets as well.

It seems to me like you are going to sign one high profile signing (which should be De Jong) and then some other signings that fit Ten Hag's gameplan but are also more affordable. However, if De Jong doesn't arrive it changes who you should sign as that high profile signing (and you don't want to lose out on too many options whilst playing the waiting game). On top of that it will change Ten Hag's preffered game plan in terms of the tactics that will be applied next season and that by itself also changes the transfer targets. It's better to have this clarity sooner rather than later.

On top of that you risk losing De Jong by playing the waiting game. At the end of the day United are not playing Champions League football and that's a huge factor for top tier players. The only way you can land those players in that situation is when the manager provides an edge to get that player and/or because you are simply sealing the deal before competition arrives. The fact of the matter is that there are other clubs with competitive advantages over Manchester United and top tier players are always going to favor that. The presence of Ten Hag might provide you with a standout opportunity to land a player like De Jong, but this opportunity can be wasted if competition gets the chance to intervene because you are playing the waiting game.
I agree in the sense that we shouldn't let it drag on - but at the same time Barca are under more pressure to get this done quickly than we are.

If it means we can save 10-15m by waiting a few weeks then we probably should. At the same time though it's more important that we actually get the player.

Barca will want to get the ball rolling quickly also, so we should remain firm IMO.
 
People need to remember that Europe is entering crippling recession. We are right to be prudent. Lots of deals to be had after the World Cup anyway.
 
I disagree. I think 60 mil for FdJ is actually cheap + he’s likely more needed than a DM. Don’t get me wrong, we need both, but IMO the bigger problem is that we aren’t press resistant at all in midfield and can’t keep the ball well enough. He would solve both those problems to a large extent.
I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree. I definitely think a DM is more important. It's one of the main reasons we're leaking goals. McTominay is actually pretty press resistant. You very rarely see him dispossessed. His problems lie in virtually every other aspect of play (positioning, awareness, tracking runners, range of passing) and he should obviously be replaced but I'd be happier seeing us with a Tchouameni, Fred and Bruno midfield than I would with FDJ, Fred and Bruno and no defensive discipline in the midfield. I agree that in normal times €60mn for Frenkie would be a reasonable price but I think we need to box clever in this window and eke out savings where they are available. Tchou, FdJ and Bruno/Fred would be a great midfield with Fred and Scott perfectly fine as depth in the near term.
 
I don't get this discussion and waiting game ...
If he's interested in a rebuild of a former huge big club, get the deal done as fast as possible to a reasonable price! But if he feels pressured by Barca and actually has no interest in United then don't! Only players who believe in a concept and want to play for the club should be brought in!
 


Can't see why the club would haggle over 60 million. FDJ on song is a world class player. Can't think of many replacements for the likes of Pogba who will be cheaper than 50 million and good enough to lead the first team. Maybe Neves / Tielemans aside no one else springs to mind.
 
Why do you take what Chris Wheeler says as gospel?

He's not the most reliable journalist.

Pay attention. Now Andy Mitten and others have gone out with the same reports. I have been on the side of “leaking” things to the press, creating public opions on different cases. So i am always looking behind the stories, what would be the reason Utd send out controlled leaks. When Ralf saif we need 10 new players. Utd leaked that Ten Hag wants evolution not revolution. Reason. Start putting out that we will buy 3 new players, fans don’t get their hopes up and would storm Old Trafford again before the first game of the season
Then they wanted Ten Had to “evaluate current staff” because firing and hiring lots of people is very expensive. Imho this current leak means again. They will spend MAX 100 mil net. Don’t hope for De Jong. How do you think people know that Ten Hag is calling De Jong every day. Only 2 people know that. Ten Hag puts it out to put pressure on Utd to buy the player he wants. He needs Man Utd fans to pressure them to buy the players he wants. Boardroom is the place where you cant get nothing done. Especially Man Utd boardroom. Every sector has their own agenda. Always remember that.
 
Can't see why the club would haggle over 60 million. FDJ on song is a world class player. Can't think of many replacements for the likes of Pogba who will be cheaper than 50 million and good enough to lead the first team. Maybe Neves / Tielemans aside no one else springs to mind.

You are totally correct. But we need to replace Mata, Matic, Cavani, Bailly, Martial, Lingard, Pogba, Wan-Bissaka and possibly Greenwood and Shaw. And now try to only spend 100 mil pounds to do so. Yes, maybe you can use youth players. But how many are really ready to play 38 premier league games? This season will be really fecked for Ten Hag. He will soon see how retarded Glazers are. Wanna bet they will again take out dividends and board bonus payments?
 
80-90M total for Frenkie and Dest? Here we go, time to assemble our very own Ajax FC! :lol:
 
Pay attention. Now Andy Mitten and others have gone out with the same reports. I have been on the side of “leaking” things to the press, creating public opions on different cases. So i am always looking behind the stories, what would be the reason Utd send out controlled leaks. When Ralf saif we need 10 new players. Utd leaked that Ten Hag wants evolution not revolution. Reason. Start putting out that we will buy 3 new players, fans don’t get their hopes up and would storm Old Trafford again before the first game of the season
Then they wanted Ten Had to “evaluate current staff” because firing and hiring lots of people is very expensive. Imho this current leak means again. They will spend MAX 100 mil net. Don’t hope for De Jong. How do you think people know that Ten Hag is calling De Jong every day. Only 2 people know that. Ten Hag puts it out to put pressure on Utd to buy the player he wants. He needs Man Utd fans to pressure them to buy the players he wants. Boardroom is the place where you cant get nothing done. Especially Man Utd boardroom. Every sector has their own agenda. Always remember that.

Where are these "Andy Mitten + others" reports that you speak of? Only Chris Wheeler has said that United won't pay 70-80m on De Jong.

Also this 100m max you speak of is in contrary to every other report that it will be between 120m-150m + sales so please enlighten everyone on how you know more.

And if you think the only 2 people that would know about Ten Hag calling De Jong would be Ten Hag and FDJ themselves then you are incredibly naive.
 
Surely City would be in for him to replace Gundogan.
Their priority should be left back.

In midfield, Gundogan, Silva, KDB and Foden (yes he usually plays on the wing) are pretty great options for carrying the ball forward. I'm not sure FDJ suits them as although he seems to like to roam he also likes to pick the ball up deep and they already Rodri. I think one DM and many AMs suit City's style of play. And Gundogan is still good.
 
Their priority should be left back.

In midfield, Gundogan, Silva, KDB and Foden are pretty great options for carrying the ball forward. I'm not sure FDJ suits them as although he seems to like to roam he also likes to pick the ball up deep and they already Rodri. I think one DM and many AMs suit City's style of play. And Gundogan is still good.
Gundogan is leaving. I think that’s what the poster is referring to.
 
Gundogan is leaving. I think that’s what the poster is referring to.
Ah okay I didn't know that. I always thought of Gundogan as much more attack minded than FDJ which is why he worked so well in this system.
 
I'll imagine him wanting a guarantee to be a main starter, not sure if he gets that at city, maybe he will with fernandhio leaving?
 
They're not close to closing those deals, they want to close those deals before June 30th. You also have to get it ratified by members once negotiations are completed. They know your financial situation as well, so I don't see any incentive for them to wrap those deals up any time soon.

"If we do what we want to do, which I think we will do before June 30, it will be spectacular. If we turn around negative funds of 450 million... I hope to get it."

"No player will leave for economic reasons if we activate the deals "

Indeed, Barcelona wants to close the agreements before June 30.

They do not care about closing the agreements before or after June 30, in any case it would benefit them to close earlier because Barcelona in a hurry could accept less money, this is speculative.
In addition, Barcelona has several offers, not just one.
 
Ah okay I didn't know that. I always thought of Gundogan as much more attack minded than FDJ which is why he worked so well in this system.
Yeah I get you. But he does also play as the deepest midfielder sometimes. I think Pep could bring De Jong in to replace Gundogan’s contribution if he wanted to. Overall though I don’t think City will buy De Jong.
 
Yeah I get you. But he does also play as the deepest midfielder sometimes. I think Pep could bring De Jong in to replace Gundogan’s contribution if he wanted to. Overall though I don’t think City will buy De Jong.
They would have spent huge on Haaland when we include agent fees etc after that I'd imagine LB would be the main weakness if they want to spend big.
 
Can't see why the club would haggle over 60 million. FDJ on song is a world class player. Can't think of many replacements for the likes of Pogba who will be cheaper than 50 million and good enough to lead the first team. Maybe Neves / Tielemans aside no one else springs to mind.

To be fair…anyone is an upgrade on Pogba
 
I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree. I definitely think a DM is more important. It's one of the main reasons we're leaking goals. McTominay is actually pretty press resistant. You very rarely see him dispossessed. His problems lie in virtually every other aspect of play (positioning, awareness, tracking runners, range of passing) and he should obviously be replaced but I'd be happier seeing us with a Tchouameni, Fred and Bruno midfield than I would with FDJ, Fred and Bruno and no defensive discipline in the midfield. I agree that in normal times €60mn for Frenkie would be a reasonable price but I think we need to box clever in this window and eke out savings where they are available. Tchou, FdJ and Bruno/Fred would be a great midfield with Fred and Scott perfectly fine as depth in the near term.
Fair, agree to some extent again but disagree too haha. Also, the reason you rarely see McSauce rarely dispossesed is because he rarely gets/shows for the ball ;).
 
Where are these "Andy Mitten + others" reports that you speak of? Only Chris Wheeler has said that United won't pay 70-80m on De Jong.

Also this 100m max you speak of is in contrary to every other report that it will be between 120m-150m + sales so please enlighten everyone on how you know more.

And if you think the only 2 people that would know about Ten Hag calling De Jong would be Ten Hag and FDJ themselves then you are incredibly naive.

Omg, you are that kind of a person are u. https://www.thenationalnews.com/spo...-hag-will-need-time-to-bring-back-glory-days/

Be a nice guy and read something first before you start barking and embarrassing yourself mate. Besides, you only need to leak to one person if club wants something out. Then Whitwell, Ornstein and others will start calling their ''sources'' inside the club and will get the same info, i.e. a confirmation.

On the money side of things. You are willing to bet that we will spend 150m + player sales? Are you kidding mate, we are still under Glazer ownership, I would be the happiest person alive if we spent 150m+ player sales on De Jong, Darwin, Antony and quality CB, but never gonna happen. And I hope to god that this will age badly.

There are only a few seasons where Glazers spend something above 100 m, with or without player sales. and if u look at Jose's last season and up until now, there is a pattern. They will give 100 m pound to spend, not a penny more. Only thing that might change that is they spend money when we didnt make it to champions league and when there is a new manager. Both happened this season, so you might get 100 m pounds. You will never see a summer where u spend 150 million pounds plus player transfers. Never! These are leeches we are talking about man!

Just to remind you, you can easily find sites, but please stop arguing for Glazers and cheering for them.
21/22 92 M pound net spend
20/19 54 M pound net spend (+Bruno in january. His transfer came out of Lukaku sale in the last summer and also from 20/19 season transfer budget 53,3 million pounds, add 25 mil pounds to both transfer windows)
19/20 66 M pound net spend
18/19 43 M pound net spend
 

for £60m you snap off their fingers to bring this guy to OT....hell you would recoup half of that fee by selling Henderson to Newcastle and DeJong is a first XI player in an area of the pitch that needs MASSIVE improvement
 
I would buy and make a offer for Barca. Take or leave it. 50 £ mill plus add on.

Replacement for Pogba. Personally i like De Jong more than example Tielemans

RW - De Jong/Bruno - CDM - De Jong Bruno - LW + CF

On the ball. Another example of a RCM/LCM player. DVD Beek. On the ball Frenkie De jong is better than DVB.
De Jong has really high football vision and understanding. Special in the period for Ajax. I have watching as much after he joined Barca.

With De Jong vision and skills. He shall play Iniesta role. Not as CB or CMD. The deep laying cm player. He shall roam in the area between opponent midfield and defend. Like Iniesta and Kevin De Bruyne. To support and link with the attack more and closer.

So from what i have seen of him with Barca. I think he was better when he was with Ajax than with Barca. Its no doubt about his football skills. High high. I am not level him equal with Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne is more physical stronger and beast. Advantage him there. But football skills, understanding and vision. De Jong is close to De Bruyne. But again. Total packet of 'De Bruyne as RCM is another question.

So for me around 50 mill £ take or leave is a right price.
 
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