Manchester United continues to seek enhancements for their midfield this summer, with Frenkie de Jong once again becoming a primary target.
Erik ten Hag, who previously managed De Jong at Ajax, has been eager to bring the Dutch midfielder to Manchester United. Although De Jong, valued at £86 million, opted to stay at Barcelona despite a prior agreement for his transfer two years ago, Ten Hag is now proposing a swap deal involving Antony to acquire De Jong.
Antony, who thrived under Ten Hag at Ajax, has not had a significant impact in the Premier League. Despite his £86 million transfer from Ajax, he scored only once in 29 league appearances last season. Given Antony’s lackluster performance, it is surprising Ten Hag would use him as part of a deal for De Jong, a key player for Barcelona. Barcelona is unlikely to be interested in Antony, as they are already well-covered on the right wing with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, who are considered more effective.
To realistically pursue De Jong, Manchester United must present a more compelling offer. Given Barcelona’s current stance, Manchester United might need to consider other strategies, such as involving a different player or increasing the financial component of the deal. Alternatively, they could explore other midfield targets to strengthen their team if acquiring De Jong proves too difficult.
