It is clear Manchester United need to change the squad yet again at Old Trafford after a disappointing campaign with question marks surrounding Erik ten Hag's future.
United face a fight to be playing European football in some format next season, with Ten Hag's side currently eighth in Premier League table with three matches left to play.
They could also clinch a place in next season's Europa League should they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but Pep Guardiola's side are the heavy favourites to lift the trophy later this month.
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Whatever happens at Wembley and in the remaining league games, it is clear United must transform their squad if they seek to challenge again at the top of the Premier League.
One of the very early targets Ten Hag had aimed to bring to Old Trafford when he moved to Manchester from Ajax in 2022 was midfielder Frenkie De Jong.
The Barcelona man had appeared to be nearing a switch to United that summer after both clubs reached a broad agreement over a £56 million transfer fee.
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However, the move did not come to pass ultimately and De Jong has remained with the Camp Nou side to this day.
But it appears the move for the 26-year-old Netherlands international might well be back on this summer transfer window and Ten Hag might finally get his man if he stays put at Old Trafford.
According to El Desmarque, as reported by Fichajes, up to 17 players could leave Barca this summer, and it is reported that De Jong could be among them should an acceptable offer come in for him.
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After Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS firm gained a minority stake in United earlier this season, they are now in charge of the football operations at Old Trafford.
And the news De Jong could be allowed to leave Barcelona in just a few months is a green light for United's owners to make a move for the midfielder.
Ten Hag remains a fan of his countryman, and recently made it clear the regard in which he holds him and the impact he feels he could have on United.
When asked by Gary Neville about whether De Jong would have helped change United’s play style, Ten Hag said: “That would have been Frenkie de Jong and Casemiro. [They would have] really been connected with each other. They would have been really complimentary with each other. Absolutely.
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“That is a typical player if you want to play the Ajax style. You need that type of player.”
It remains to be seen if United can finally get a deal over the line for the midfielder this summer.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Frenkie De Jong, Barcelona, FC Barcelona, Transfer News, Erik Ten Hag