MX23RW : Wednesday, December 11 19:34:07| >> :120:5632:5632:

Erik ten Hag 'urges Manchester United to sign Frenkie de Jong, Christian Eriksen'

Ten Hag 'urges Man United to sign De Jong, Eriksen'
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag tells the club's board to focus on signing Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen, according to a report.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has reportedly told the club's board to focus on bringing Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen to Old Trafford this summer.

Red Devils CEO Richard Arnold has confirmed that Man United are in discussions with Barcelona over a potential deal for De Jong.

Man United allegedly recently made a verbal bid for the midfielder, offering €60m (£52m) plus €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons, but Barcelona are believed to want an €85m (£73.8m) guaranteed fee, with the two clubs still struggling to come to an agreement over a transfer fee.

The 20-time English champions are said to be confident of reaching an agreement with the Catalan giants, though, with Ten Hag identifying the Netherlands international as his leading transfer target.

According to Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan, the club's new head coach has made it clear to the club's board that agreeing deals for De Jong and Eriksen should be their immediate priority.

Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong warms up in May 2022© Reuters

"Erik ten Hag has made it so clear to the Man United board that he wants both Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen. If they don't get those two players, it would be a breakdown of his ID and his model and his style at United," Van der Kraan told Sky Sports News.

"Erik ten Hag doesn't want any other players apart from those two first. Ten Hag says he's seen the style of Barcelona and Ajax - if you want to play a certain attacking style, then you need Frenkie.

"With Christian Eriksen, at the beginning of this year, he's come back from his heart shock. Erik ten Hag was able to witness with his own eyes the fitness of Eriksen again and those performances for Brentford really convinced him."

De Jong was again a vital player for Barcelona last term, featuring on 46 occasions in all competitions, but he could be sold in the current market to ease the Catalan outfit's financial issues.

Brentford's Christian Eriksen applauds fans after the match on April 10, 2022© Reuters

Man United are also believed to have offered a contract to Eriksen, with the Denmark international's contract at Brentford set to expire at the end of June.

Having had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator device fitted after suffering a cardiac arrest while representing Denmark last summer's European Championship, the former Ajax youngster left former club Inter Milan, moving to Brentford on a free transfer in January.

The 30-year-old scored once and providing four assists in 11 Premier League appearances for the Bees in the second half of the campaign, and he has allegedly made the decision to leave Thomas Frank's side on a free transfer, with his former club Tottenham Hotspur also said to be showing an interest.

"I have different offers and options, which we are considering, and then we make a decision. I would love to play Champions League football again. I know how much fun it is, but it isn't essential for me," Eriksen told Viaplay when recently questioned on his future.

Ten Hag is also believed to want a centre-back and a centre-forward this summer, while a new goalkeeper would be required if Dean Henderson is allowed to depart.

ID:488389:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5545:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Erik ten Hag

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
 Italy's Andrea Belotti reacts, November 15, 2021
Read Next:
Three more free agents Man United could target after Eriksen
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!