Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

[LawCharltonBest]

I can easily believe United will feck up this transfer after months of working on it all day, every day. That's just Manchester United, it's what they do.

But I don't believe the United CEO and DOF would have flown to Barcelona, days after meeting with De Jong's agent at Carrington, when the player has no intention of leaving.

It's more likely they're refusing to leave until they're paid that owed money.

 

[GDaly95]

It appears we’ve chased shadows again. Can’t wait for the panic buy at the end of the window.

Who’s everyone’s money on?

Dybala

 

[Mickeza]

This is starting to look like the handiwork of Woodward all over again. If he signs for us before the start of the season then great, but if he doesn't it will be a worrying indication that this so-called new regime is pretty much exactly the same as the previous one.

If ETH has spoken to FDJ daily to convince him to come and told the club he wants to come insisting he’s now the key summer target - the club have then successfully negotiated a fee with Barcelona but the player has refused to join who is at fault there?

 

[DavelinaJolie]

I'd take some time off the hamster wheel people, it's gonna drag.

 

[Keefy18]

But if you're certain, and you seem absolutely certain that it's not happening and all these reports are lies... you need to put your money on it.
The fact you're not suggests that you're not totally confident with your opinion. I won't back him coming to United as even though i'm fairly sure it'll happen, that doubt does remain in a small part. If i was as certain of him coming as you are of him staying, i'd back that all the way to the bank

Or I'm sadly just broke as feck Transfers aren't normally something I'd put money on, don't think I ever have. If I gamble its generally texas holdem but even that is rare these days.

Hey I could well be wrong myself, just going on my gut instinct with it all.

Dembele signed now, Romano just announced.

They're doing some quality transfer business along with Kessie, Christensen & Raphina... meanwhile were supposed to be in the midst of a revolution and can't get a whiff of a new signing.

We're looking like amateurs... again.

 

[cyberman]

This is starting to look like the handiwork of Woodward all over again. If he signs for us before the start of the season then great, but if he doesn't it will be a worrying indication that this so-called new regime is pretty much exactly the same as the previous one.

This looks like we backed the manager who told us he can talk FDJ into coming on my opinion. The club has done the hard part, it’s convincing the player that’s the problem and that falls on the manager.

 

[FiiiiveTenHaaags]

To be fair, Barcelona are on another level when it comes to financial shenanigans and general dragging things out. I was out there during Messi’s leaving saga and the local lads were all saying it was par for the course, the back and forth of players looking likely to stay, then being asked to defer their money for 99 years, then eventually leaving etc

Having said that, we need to be having a really good think about plan Bs. This might be controversial, but I reckon Iqbal deserves at least as much of a look this season as Elanga did last.

If we can get CE over the line and sign just a decent mid-tier midfielder that would maybe do as the bare minimum.

For me the real worry is striker at this point - even if Ronaldo is forced to stay as no one apparently wants him enough for his wages, we’re one bad injury away from an utter nightmare.

 

[Smores]

Yeah it'll do him great to mess us about on a player we really want when he has other players in the club already, and likely players that he'll want to bring to United in the future.

Yeah because agents never mess us about do they. They must be terrified of the thought.

Agents create leverage it's what they do they're not acting for the club. If his agent thought the best way to get Barca to pay debts/wages was to setup United interest they'd absolutely do that. It happens all the time to assist negotiations yet for some reason 'this is different' to some.

Until he signs we have no idea whether interest is valid or not.

 

[Lynty]

He just wants his money. Don't leave until you get every penny Frenkie.

The way Barca are handling this, if you were a player who'd deffered wage payments - you'd be thinking twice now. Turned into such an unlikeable club.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Yeah right, if Romano tweeted “FDJ to MUFC Here we go” you’d be getting your appendage out quick smart.

You’re not wrong mate

 

[red thru&thru]

Nothing new here. FDJ will continue to say to the press that he doesn't want to leave to maximise the chances of him getting all of his backpay.

Agreed. The only people that are worth following on this transfer is the British press, such as Whitwell, Ducker and Stone, as they are out on tour and will pick up some good credible information from our end.

Of course, Ornstein is added to the list but the above journalists are on tour with the club

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

Panic merchants out in force.why would 2 of our senior figures be in Spain sorting out a transfer if we didn't think we could get him?
He's coming.

Exactly.

 

[sewey89]

It appears we’ve chased shadows again. Can’t wait for the panic buy at the end of the window.

Who’s everyone’s money on?

De Jong

 

[Keefy18]

It’s funny how desperate you are for this to break down. So much so with every snippet of semi-negative information you burst in here with the “I told you so”

Seriously mate

Well considering the heat I've taken from yourself and a few others... If it does fall through I think an apology for being a bit of dick is due. But I doubt you'd have the maturity for it.

I'm not bothered either way if he signs personally.

Good player but again, my gut tells me he prefers to stay put... if players don't want to be here, I don't want them here.

 

[Swedish_Plumber]

De Jong

Nigel?

 

[sglowrider]

Because we want him, apparently. A marriage is never cheap.

 

[Keefy18]

Fixed

Didn't Arnold say he was going to keep out of transfer dealings to the supporters in the pub? What's he doing in Spain?

Seems like the panic is on our side.

Barca are cleaning up with signings and we're panicking to hijack a player from them.

 

[kps88]

100% agree with you here.

Lets be totally rational here... if de Jong or his agent got on the phone to United or EtH, and said "look, Frenkie doesn't want to come to United, he loves Barca and we're working towards a solution on him staying". Do you honestly think United would keep working on this? Do you think they'd waste their time on pursuing a target that has no intentions of coming, regardless of if Barca are forcing him out?

He's allowed to change his mind or have second thoughts though. Not that I think he has. Seems to be posturing to put pressure on Barcelona.

 

[red thru&thru]

What's that got to do with it?

Of course he'd hold talks, doesn't mean he'd jump at the chance.

Raphina has held talks with multiple clubs, yet he's a Barca player now pretty much.

What is has to do with it is, the club would know whether Frenkie wants to leave or not. You overlook the fact the relationship FdJ has with EtH.

You can already tell from EtH, he isn't one to fanny around. He would have had some strong assurances from Frenkie on whether he wants to come or not, to still be involved in this transfer.

 

[George The Best]

Interesting to see if he’s on the plane on Friday when Barca fly to the USA

 

[Stadjer]

I just dont believe that Manchester United put all the effort in this transfer if Frenkie de Jong has no interest in moving. All ten Hag has to do is send him a message and ask ''wanna join?'' and you got your answer.

If de Jong said no than stop with the whole transfer but since it looks like negotiating with Barcelona have been going on for a while now, surely Frenkie told ten Hag that he is willing to join?

 

[Mickeza]

Barcelona have one hell of a credit card

 

[Carl]

Its NOTHING like the Fabregas pursuit. In that saga, Barca had no intention of selling, they never did and rejected every offer that was put to them.
Fabregas was open to joining i believe, but Barca flat out said not a chance

Fabregas was never interested.

 

[Berbaclass]

Well considering the heat I've taken from yourself and a few others... If it does fall through I think an apology for being a bit of dick is due. But I doubt you'd have the maturity for it.

I'm not bothered either way if he signs personally.

Good player but again, my gut tells me he prefers to stay put... if players don't want to be here, I don't want them here.

It’s nothing personal man. I don’t think I’ve said anything wrong but I’m sorry if I offended you.

Thanks for calling me immature though

 

[golden_blunder]

Why is everyone talking about levers?

As long as FDJ is leving I don’t care

 

[tenpoless]

Buying before selling even when youre in debt.

 

[DWelbz19]

I did...

 

[Keefy18]

What is has to do with it is, the club would know whether Frenkie wants to leave or not. You overlook the fact the relationship FdJ has with EtH.

You can already tell from EtH, he isn't one to fanny around. He would have had some strong assurances from Frenkie on whether he wants to come or not, to still be involved in this transfer.

If you say so, or he's desperate (ETH) and feels he has to have him but FDJ simply doesn't want to leave.

Sending out Murtough and Arnold is being heralded as hero's, no idea why. The latter stated he'd stay out of transfer dealings, obviously he isn't.

 

[Chairman Steve]

I don’t think Arnold and Murtough would travel to Barcelona to meet with the Barcelona hierarchy to discuss this, if FDJ was dead set on staying. It’d be a gigantic waste of everyone’s time otherwise. Imagine those guys painstakingly going through the financials for weeks, negotiating ways around things and finally coming to an agreement to then have the player in question say ‘No’. That would be insane. The player giving express consent probably came first.

I think the fact that a fee and instalments got out to the press week or so ago has caused Barcelona to panic and now it’s very cards close to their chest due to their financial situation. It’s messed with their playing hand and bargaining position, because the likes of Bayern can demand a juicy fee for Lewandowski for example, because they know they’re receiving money from Utd.

I believe that FDJ has agreed to leave but wants to be paid his deferred wages, which is the stumbling block for Barcelona due to previously mentioned financial situation. Barca are therefore trying to ask for more money in instalments from Utd, so that they can pay him. Utd are willing too but will spread it over a longer period that doesn’t suit Barca… and that’s where we are now.

 

[Mainoldo]

He’s coming. Probably won’t get all his money though but I’m sure we will pay him loads in wages.

 

[Aretak]

I can easily believe United will feck up this transfer after months of working on it all day, every day. That's just Manchester United, it's what they do.

I don't really think that's fair. Ultimately, the new manager has identified a player as his number one target and the club has done everything in its power to make that deal happen. A deal for a player who is, realistically, way out of the club's league at the moment, not even being able to offer Champions League football.

If the deal falls apart it will be because the player ultimately wasn't that interested and didn't want to force a move, combined with a healthy dose of Barcelona being an absolute shambles.

 

[Adam-Utd]

There is 3 scenarios at play here;

1. De Jong stays at Barca on full pay, nothing changes.

2. De Jong leaves Barca, Barca accept to pay his backdated wages.

3. De Jong leaves Barca, accepts he won't get his backdated wages.

De Jong will be happy with 1 or 2. Barca want 3.

Clearly its an internal fight between them to see which option plays out. All we can do is sit and wait.

 

[Baxter]

 

[sewey89]

They're trying to make out he's on about £600k a week?

 

[TheHeya]

Se Queda

 

[TrueRed79]

Barcelona seem like a right shower of cnuts. They want him gone so that they can not pay his huge salary anymore, while also getting a massive fee for him. Seemingly do not want to pay his deferred wages, while spending loads of money they shouldn't really be spending, all while they are 1.3B in debt? Seems legit.

 

[DWelbz19]

There is 3 scenarios at play here;

1. De Jong stays at Barca on full pay, nothing changes.

2. De Jong leaves Barca, Barca accept to pay his backdated wages.

3. De Jong leaves Barca, accepts he won't get his backdated wages.

De Jong will be happy with 1 or 2. Barca want 3.

Clearly its an internal fight between them to see which option plays out. All we can do is sit and wait.

There is scenario 4 too, actually.

4. de Jong stays, accepting a massive paycut and foregoing his backdated wages

 

[Keefy18]

It’s nothing personal man. I don’t think I’ve said anything wrong but I’m sorry if I offended you.

Thanks for calling me immature though

Just the tone of your replies, in the mud and wum and probably a few other similar sentiments. All good though

I appreciate I'm putting my neck on the line with some comments about him staying put cause folks want him.

 

[golden_blunder]

Crikey we have so many people who give up at the first little sign of anything. Quitters!

big dog didn’t go there just to eat tapas

 

[Mickeza]

Not a chance that we’re paying him less than he’s currently on

Umm…yes of course we will. The only reason he’s on so much is because he’s deferred his wages!!!! That’s the whole point. Barcelona have to top up his salary if he is to move and pay what they owe him from previous years.