Pundit issues ‘huge’ Man United claim as £72m Frenkie de Jong deal agreed
Frank McAvennie has insisted there is “no way” Frenkie de Jong wouldn’t want to join a club like Man United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said despite their problems the Red Devils are “still a huge club”.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported on Saturday (16 July) that the 25-year-old was included in Barcelona’s preseason tour of the US despite a fee having been reached with the Manchester club.
The clubs are said to have reached an agreement which could be worth £71.5million in total, with £63m up front and £8.5m in add-ons.
But United are understood to be struggling to reach personal terms with the midfielder.
The Dutch international has four years left on his contract at the Nou Camp.
When asked if he thought Erik ten Hag’s side should give up on trying to sign de Jong, McAvennie told Football Insider: “There’s no way he wouldn’t want to come to Man United.
“He’s got his first choice. If you don’t get him there must be somebody else.
“No matter what state Man United are in, they’re still a huge huge club and to be part of that machine gets them back to a level where they should be.
“I think anyone worth their salt would want to play for Man United. He might look at some of the players there and think they don’t want to play.
“There’s too many players there who downed tools last year, didn’t chase the ball when they lost it, didn’t try to win it back, that’s not Man United.
“This new manager has got to get that back, he’s playing the same people as last year, there’s no doubting their talent. But de Jong might be thinking ‘I can’t play with them’.“
In other news, a pundit has suggested Raphael Varane could be frozen out at Man United after journalist’s £46.8m news.