It’s been reported that De Jong has spoken to Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag and has told him he is ‘happy’ to join his project at Old Trafford.
De Jong is one of two major midfield targets for Man United, alongside Jude Bellingham, and the club will have to fork out a big sum to get either of them.
Last summer, De Jong was Ten Hag’s primary target for his midfield and he was involved in a 17-week transfer chase which was unsuccessful as the Dutchman stayed at Barcelona.
There were plenty of factors holding up the transfer to Manchester United, including a situation involving deferred wages he was supposed to receive from Barcelona.
Manchester United were prepared, though, as they signed Casemiro and Christian Eriksen to make up for it and that has significantly improved their midfield in the first half of this season.
According to the Manchester Evening News, De Jong has had private conversations with Ten Hag in which he revealed he is open to a move to Old Trafford.
That will serve as a boost for Manchester United as De Jong’s previous stance was that he wanted to remain at Barcelona, the club of his dreams, and he wanted to stay there for the rest of his career.
Ten Hag and De Jong have a good relationship having previously worked together at Ajax, enjoying great success and reaching the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League.
The coach saw him as the ideal ball carrier in midfield and was keen to reunite with him at Old Trafford, and he may have some more hope of that now with the latest developments.
