Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd: When midfielder toyed with Dembele in Barcelona training

  • Rob Swan
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Frenkie de Jong toying with Ousmane Dembele in one-v-one shows his control is impeccable

Frenkie de Jong is reportedly edging closer to leaving Barcelona for Manchester United.

According to talkSPORT, Man Utd are aiming to complete the deal for the midfielder by Thursday (June 30).

The report adds that United are close to agreeing a fee in the region of £68 million for the Netherlands international, who is Erik ten Hag’s top summer target.

Ten Hag and De Jong know each other well from their time working together at Ajax and the compatriots now look set to be reunited at Old Trafford.

How much De Jong actually wants to leave Camp Nou for Manchester is currently unclear but it seems Barça are keen to cash in before the start of the 2022-23 campaign.

De Jong recently told reporters that while he felt flattered by Man Utd’s interest, he was “at the biggest club in the world at the moment and I feel fine there.”

The 25-year-old has performed well for Barcelona over the past three seasons, although it’s fair to say that the club’s fans may have expected more from the gifted midfielder following his eye-catching performances for Ajax.

He was sensational during his final season at Ajax, shining in both the Eredivisie and the Champions League, and looked set to establish his status as the world’s best central midfielder after joining Barça in 2019.

Frenkie De Jong camp nou
BARCELONA, SPAIN – JULY 05: New Barcelona signing Frenkie de Jong waves to fans pitch as he is unveiled at Camp Nou stadium on July 05, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

For whatever reason that hasn’t quite happened, although it would still be a huge coup for beleaguered Man Utd if they get the deal over the line this week.

It’s possible that De Jong could be joined in the Premier League next season by his current teammate Ousmane Dembele, who is attracting interest from Chelsea.

Video: De Jong toying with Dembele in Barcelona training

Dembele knows better than most what a talented footballer De Jong is.

Back in August 2020, Barcelona released a brilliant clip showing De Jong toying with Dembele during an informal one-v-one in training.

Watch the brilliant clip here:

De Jong’s touch and control is impeccable. Poor Dembele never stood a chance of getting the ball.

If the Dutchman can display the same technique in the Premier League next season, Man Utd will be laughing.

But until De Jong’s standing at Old Trafford with the famous red shirt in his hands, United fans won’t believe it until they see it.

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