Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt show Manchester United challenge for Erik ten Hag

When the stars of Erik ten Hag’s great Ajax team of 2018/19 departed Amsterdam, they barely even glanced at the Premier League.

Frenkie de Jong was wanted by Manchester City but only ever had eyes for Barcelona. Matthijs de Ligt was linked with Manchester United but wanted a move to Juventus and the world’s best finishing school for defenders.

It felt like a sign of the times, that the most wanted players in world football were moving to Italy and to Spain rather than to the Premier League. But the footballing landscape has changed considerably since 2019.

In an ideal world, Barcelona would keep De Jong this summer, but the Catalans are operating in a world that is far from ideal for them. The 25-year-old midfielder looks ideal for Xavi’s team but the club need the money a sale would bring and United are the only realistic suitor. Three years after turning City down, De Jong will move to the other side of Manchester this summer.

United always expected De Ligt to move on the continent in 2019, initially to Barcelona before Juventus made their move. He’s had a reasonable three years in Turin and should be ready to graduate after the departure of Giorgio Chiellini, but instead, he could be sold to Chelsea.

Juventus are also short of cash and De Ligt is a target for Thomas Tuchel, who needs to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. The 22-year-old should be the heart of Juventus’ defence for a decade, but money talks and a move to the Premier League might happen this summer.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused more financial issues to clubs in Europe than in the Premier League and since 2019 the balance of power has shifted considerably back to England, whose clubs remain cash cows with huge spending power. With