Lionel Messi agrees with Mauricio Pochettino about Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong

Paris Saint-Germain duo Mauricio Pochettino and Lionel Messi are both in agreement that Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong is a "fantastic player."

The Dutchman, who joined Barcelona from Ajax back in 2019, is on United's radar ahead of the transfer window opening in less than a week's time. The Reds are desperate to strengthen their midfield options and De Jong is among their leading targets.

The midfielder worked with United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax and the latter is keen to be reunited with him at Old Trafford. He is understood to have reached out to De Jong's agent in a bid to lure him to England, even though United's lack of Champions League football next season could prove problematic in their attempts to strike a deal.

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However, if United were successful in their efforts to sign the 25-year-old, who netted four goals and grabbed five assists for Barcelona this past season, it would be a huge statement of intent. He is considered as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe and is not short on admirers.

One of those is Messi. The duo played together at Barcelona up until the Argentine's exit from the club last summer and was a big fan of De Jong's talents.

Messi made his feelings on De Jong very clear during private conversations between himself, De Jong and former Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman. The former Southampton boss, who left the Spanish giants back in October last year, revealed that Messi spoke very highly of the United target and that he enjoyed playing alongside him.

Koeman, speaking last year, told De Telegraaf: "When I arrived I told Frenkie: 'This is your second season, you have to make a