It is no secret that Erik ten Hag has been a long-time admirer of Frenkie de Jong having worked with the midfielder during his spell at Ajax.
Upon his arrival at Manchester United in 2022, the Dutch manager made his former star a priority as they spent the summer chasing his signatured.
It seemed as likely a transfer as any, De Jong linking back up with the man who had helped him rise to prominence.
Barcelona also had to offload players as they struggled with their finances and it seemed the Dutch midfielder was their most profitable asset.
Despite their attempts the former Ajax man decided he would stay in Spain, leading Manchester United to sign Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
Despite his future at the club being uncertain, one thing that has reportedly remained unchanged is Ten Hag's interest in his former player.
It would appear that the Dutchman is heading for the exit door as new own Jim Ratcliffe rings in the changes at Old Trafford.
But he has recently been linked with the job at Bayern Munich as the German club seek a new manager following their failure to claim silverware this season.
And according to Mundo Deportivo no matter where Ten Hag ends up next season he will once again make De Jong his number one priority.
Speaking ahead of their Europa League tie back in 2023, Ten Hag said: 'Frenkie is an incredible player and for every club in the whole world he will strengthen the squad because he has a unique quality.'
'If you can get him in the squad your team will be stronger. In Spain he became even better. He's a fantastic player, plays out from the back, he always has time and it was a pleasure to work with him.'
And speaking to Gary Neville for Sky Sports recently, the Dutchman confirmed his midfield plans had he acquired his number one target, 'It would have been Frenkie de Jong and Casemiro.
'They would really be connected with each other. They would be really complementary to each other.
'That's a typical player, if you want to play the Ajax style, you need that type of player.'
And it would appear that the current Manchester United manager has receieved a boost in any future approach for De Jong.
During their initial approach for him back in 2022, the two clubs managed to agree a fee of £55million with the main sticking block being his refusal to leave Spain.
The Barcelona midfielder though, no longer appears to be as committed to the Catalan club.
It has been reported that Barcelona offered their star midfielder a new deal, one he has yet to sign or respond to.
There are growing fears within the club that with his current deal set to expire in 2026, De Jong may be eyeing a cut-price move away.
It has even been suggested that the 26-year-old is willing to run down his contract in order to secure a free transfer away when it does expire.
yoycenorsz
1
Please still on F C Barcelona.
pehbdeprz
1
United has no problem with the cache ten hag,Manchester United problem is the management, which they are trying to revive and revamp, believe me even do you bring the best players in the world and cache we cannot get it done, please let's watch nest season things will be ok with ten hag
letaeiklrz
1
buy every player
Roocnotuy
1
ineos should not take dejong.Eth out. even after his recruitment failures he still does not change. sell all your failures at the same price .
myimaginaction
0
God forbid! Is De Jong better than Kobbie Mainoo? That's just the simplest question and I need answer for it immediately please.
of course... De Jong is WAY BETTER than Mainoo.
sidabcopr
0
God forbid! Is De Jong better than Kobbie Mainoo? That's just the simplest question and I need answer for it immediately please.
Rohbcdnop
0
Erik must go first if man u want de Jong because Erik is the reason why de Jong is not comfortable to join us
here I was thinking beetle juice was dumb
tacackmrs
1
no to dejong
deuaeikmsz
1
If big clubs like Bayern is going for Ten hag. that means United is not a serious club. can you imagine what politics is doing to United as club
Ancelot was not sacked by Everton but he quit himself
Tuedlnstuy
0
If big clubs like Bayern is going for Ten hag. that means United is not a serious club. can you imagine what politics is doing to United as club
is not about politics, things change sometimes in football. Acceloti was sacked in Everton and his doing well today in Madrid. one of Ten hang problem is that he talk too much by grant unnecessary interview.
caecekmpy
0
If big clubs like Bayern is going for Ten hag. that means United is not a serious club. can you imagine what politics is doing to United as club
gm11
0
Tan Hag is Autistic, he stuck he can’t proceed without De Jong…De Jong will be another disaster—i still feel United’s star player Bruno is the problem of United..he is an excellent player but something is wrong with him he ruined Portugal and then United when CR7 was there
Bruno is the problem? But yet he's the only one who turns up each week, he also is are best signing in yours and his stats speak for themselves. If anything we need a squad full of brunos who have his passion and a good work rate. Without bruno we are terrible. Cause you can really tell he's the only guy in are squad that tries. Never hides from criticism that's a true football player there. Sell Rashford, Sancho, Martial, DVB, Shaw, Varane, Maguire, Lindeflop give casemero another season then move him on. These are the players who have to leave, injury prone players have to go, nd players who lack passion have to go such as everyone else that Iisted.
gm11
0
Erik must go first if man u want de Jong because Erik is the reason why de Jong is not comfortable to join us
That's just bs.
bukai26
0
Erik must go first if man u want de Jong because Erik is the reason why de Jong is not comfortable to join us
You think so? The state of the club at this moment is such that if Erik leaves it will save his career. He will go to Germany/Spain/France and will drive his Audi in style. The new manager whoever he is will again start from zero and again after 2 years someone like you will ask him to get sacked. This is the vicious cycle. If you are a Man UTD fan from heart support the team which has faced 64 injuries in a season and then next year if the same kind of results happen, ask for manager removal. If you are part of that gang who got hurt because of the CR7 saga then I don't have anything to say to you mate.
Hamcdkstyz
4
Erik must go first if man u want de Jong because Erik is the reason why de Jong is not comfortable to join us
sicaceilno
0
do you all remember when barca fans tried to scare us by saying De Jong and Ansu Fati name...
They always say we buy referees , is still the referee who set the diference between vini and ansu fati!?
cinckopst
0
Manure United will never be the same, without Sir Fergie. Get over it.
"manure united"! This is too much nah!
Raakani
2
Tan Hag is Autistic, he stuck he can’t proceed without De Jong…De Jong will be another disaster—i still feel United’s star player Bruno is the problem of United..he is an excellent player but something is wrong with him he ruined Portugal and then United when CR7 was there
somacdlnoz
0
no more wick legs,we are tied of old age.
Licbikny
3
erik ten hag FUCK U🖕& Go To HELLLLLL🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣This Coach talk too much..Zerooóooo🚬👌
Zeybikmst
0
From what I read her they would not like a team like Ahax2019, so terry know little about great football.
17744660(deleted)
0
Another injury prone player?????
Yitakpsuyz
1
stop running behind Frankie de Jong and focus more on another good players
Kuuilmprt
1
They should go and reunite in ETH's village
you mean in Manchester United?😂😂😂
Brighton29
4
They should go and reunite in ETH's village
BlessRm
3
Quick recovery for you 🙏, but don't not join Man United
Sahla-HDP
0
This guy still believes he'll be there in 24/25 Fixture 1?
maaabdklno
2
Go reunite somewhere else guys where are the times of fearless owners in sucking useless coaching stuff
SeneniBruce
1
Let him sing de jong
Pambiksu
1
Manure United, need Son's uncle. Mr Win Win Soon
Pambiksu
1
Manure United will never be the same, without Sir Fergie. Get over it.
tocblmorty
0
How is the performance of his former players he brought to Man U?
myclubliverpool
0
Only for united fans to come back and say De Jong wasn't his first choice when things go sour as usual
Edoo87
2
sell him
Mayu78
3
never seen a manager so keen to ruin a career!!!
gazisagar66
4
all Ajax players sign to man Utd 😁😁🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈
Abrahamabi1234
2
Take
kruz8080
3
This ETH will relegate Man United sooner
bamadiloty
3
What about your existing captain is he not good that cry baby
loopholes
6
do you all remember when barca fans tried to scare us by saying De Jong and Ansu Fati name...
Bouaeiosuy
5
ETH is already sacked by United just waiting for a season to end