Frenkie will play in Manchester United shirt before 1 september, it will take time because he needs to resolve the problems he has with the money Barcelona owe him, as soon as it sorted out, he will be in Manchester. Barcelona has made it clear that they want to sell him, and there are two reasons, the have 2 generational talents in midfield in Pedri and Gavi, both playing as CM where they need a real CDM behind like Busquets (but he is getting older) and they have brought in Franck Kessié to share the spot behind Pedri and Gavi with Busquets. Dont get me wrong, of course that they could keep De Jong, as he is one of the best players in his position, but his also the only one they can cash in big money on this summer to cover up the economical issues they have.
They have right now spent 103m total and sold players for 23m which makes a net spending of 80m (tells you something?). Selling De Jong to Manchester United is just a matter of time. They are still trying to being respectful and not forcing him away (at least not openly through media), which they will if it what it takes. But still, i cant seeing De Jong being SO desperat to stay in a team where he is not wanted, no matter if the is his dream club. Pride, cant be bought, and i hope he has some, and comes to a club where he will be one of the keyplayers, be appreciated from both fans, mangers and the his teammates.
Barcelona clearly wants Bernardo Silva, they also have no other player to cash in on (if they dont want to sell their future stars in Fathi, Gavi, Pedri - which wont happen since they are younger and from their academy). They paid 85m for De Jong and it seems they have agreed on a deal with United for about the same money with add ons. And that both Morthough and Richard Arnold went to Barcelona last week (all reliable source confirming it) says it all about where the clubs stands. So like I said, Barcelone needs to sort out the 17m the owe De Jong and I think he understands that the right thing for him is to move on - EVEN if lets say all suddenly Chelsea went all in for him and he chooses them over us - but the point is the his time in Barcelona is over and i believe that ETH will convice him to join us in the end. And one good thing is that we don't really have to have panik if he join us in 2-3 weeks, he knows what ETH demands of him and the way he wants us to play even if it wont be exactly like at Ajax, it still wont be far from it.
He is everything we need in a CM right now, i just still hope we sign Pau Torres for the LCB position next to Varane and play Martinez as CDM in 3 man midfield with Frenkie and Bruno/Eriksen - or it will be more like a 4-2-3-1 with Martinez being the CDM, Frenkie more of a box to box and Bruno/Eriksen a bit higher up between 2 wingers and then a striker upfront.
Get us Antony and De Jong and this team starts to look like something that should "easy" get top 4, compete for Europa League and one of the domestic cups.
