Man Utd: £56m star 'open to Ten Hag project' at Old Trafford

Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong would rather stay at Barcelona than move to Old Trafford this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

However, Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that the 25-year-old is still very much open to joining the Red Devils if he does have to leave the Camp Nou.

According to The Guardian, United have agreed an initial £56.2m deal with Barcelona to sign De Jong this transfer window, though that is expected to rise after add-ons.

In February, De Jong stated that he was “very happy” at the La Liga outfit and suggested that he wanted to stay at the club for many more years.

However, Barcelona’s financial crisis has left them in a situation where they have to consider selling the Dutchman.

Discussing De Jong back in May, Barcelona boss Xavi said (via MailOnline): “For me he is a very important player. He has been a starter almost all the time. He is a fundamental footballer but then there is the economic situation, on which we all depend.”

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The former Spain midfielder later went on to add: “He is a player that I like a lot, but we will see what the situation is.”

Jones has told GMS that although De Jong’s preference is to remain at the Camp Nou, he is still willing to move to Old Trafford this summer.

“Frenkie still would prefer to remain at Barcelona as far as I understand it, but if he has to leave, then he is open to this project at Man United,” the journalist said.

“Let’s be honest, he’s going to be paid extremely well. He’s going to get to play a role in that team that will suit him probably better than the role he’s been playing at Barcelona.”

Some United fans may not be happy with the idea of signing a player who is not