Man Utd: Ten Hag now 'really wants' to sign £72m star at Old Trafford

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag ‘loves’ Frenkie de Jong and could reignite the Old Trafford interest in the Barcelona star in the future, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

Although the Red Devils spent more than £200million ahead of the deadline on September 1, ten Hag missed out on one of his top targets.

According to ESPN, de Jong remains on Manchester United’s shortlist despite the club’s inability to secure his services during the summer transfer window.

The report suggests ten Hag has not been put off by the 45-cap Netherlands international’s public stance of wanting to remain with Barcelona and there is a growing confidence that he could be convinced to reunite with his former Ajax boss at Old Trafford.

Manchester United thought they were on the cusp of signing de Jong when they agreed a deal worth close to £72million with his current employers in July, but a move failed to come to fruition.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Red Devils and Chelsea will continue to keep tabs on the central midfielder ahead of potentially returning to the negotiating table during the winter window.

De Jong was at the centre of a dispute while negotiations were ongoing in August, with Barcelona claiming the contract renewal he signed under the previous hierarchy had irregularities.

Sheth understands that ten Hag is a huge admirer of de Jong and, as a result, Manchester United’s interest is not going away.

Although the Red Devils agreed to fork out up to £70million for Casemiro during the summer transfer window, the Sky Sports reporter does not think the Brazilian’s arrival has ended the pursuit of de Jong.

Sheth told GIVEMESPORT: “I still think Erik ten Hag loves the player. He absolutely loves the