Ten Hag could be "big factor" in convincing £54m-rated star to join Man Utd - journalist

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag would be a “big factor” in convincing Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong to join the club this summer, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

According to Dean Jones, the Red Devils’ new manager is keen on pairing De Jong with Donny van de Beek in the engine room for United next season in the Premier League, and that a deal is starting to become more “feasible”.

Added to Barcelona’s financial woes, O’Rourke has now indicated that Ten Hag could also be an added factor in a potential deal going through between the two sides.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke hinted that Ten Hag’s presence at Old Trafford now could prove to be a “big factor” in his countryman making the decision to move to Manchester this summer.

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He said: “I think obviously it would be a big factor in him going to Manchester United would be to work with Erik ten Hag again. They had great success at Ajax, so I am sure that would be in his thinking if he was to leave Barcelona this summer.

“De Jong has come out and said he is happy in Barcelona and would like to stay, but that might change due to Barcelona’s financial issues and their other transfer targets.”

Hailed as being “world-class” by sports writer and commentator, Andy West, the £54m-rated De Jong would be the kind of statement signing that would be the biggest signal of a new era under Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

And while United as a club will feel their rich history and championship pedigree still plays a big part in helping to convince transfer targets of a move, Ten Hag’s arrival as manager has brought an added ‘pull’ to the club.

While the likes of Ole