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Incoming Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag reportedly wants to bring his compatriot to Old Trafford this summer, having worked with the 25-year-old at Ajax.
Since leaving the Dutch club in 2019, De Jong has established himself as one of Barcelona’s most important players, making 139 appearances in all competitions.
His impressive performances for Barcelona and Netherlands have caught the attention of several big clubs and the likes of Manchester United have been boosted by Barca’s financial problems.
Asked about the speculation surrounding De Jong on Tuesday, Laporta said it was natural that some Barcelona players are in the headlines and insisted he would do ‘what’s best for the club’ in regards to outgoings.
Speaking on Spanish radio station Catalunya Radio, Laporta said: ‘There are Barca players that are always being talked about in the market.
‘I don’t know if we will sell important players. If we complete some deals, maybe it won’t be needed. The priority is our financial situation, as of now. We’ll do our best for the club.’
De Jong helped Ten Hag’s Ajax reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes he would be a superb signing for his former club.
‘A top player. I watched him really closely in that Champions League semi-final team,’ Ferdinand told the FIVE YouTube channel.
‘They’re saying he could be the first signing under Ten Hag, if he is I will be sitting here going “Yes, great sign of things to come”.
‘He’s 25-years-old, not huge in terms of his frame, but what he has got is he’s quick with the ball, really good dribbler, can get out of tight situations, good passer over the short and medium distances.
‘As a team who are looking for players who can control the ball and the game and get the team functioning in terms of balanced possession, I think he would be a good addition to the team. He’s not someone who scores loads of goals, but he is more in terms of the controlling of the game.
‘This season, Manchester United are definitely losing Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, so it [the midfield] does need reinforcement.
‘I think he will be a fantastic signing if this deal goes ahead. [From] Ajax to Barcelona the fee was around £77million and they’re talking between £60-70m, so in today’s market it would be a very good signing.
‘He thrived under Ten Hag’s management. He was the outstanding player in that [Ajax] team.’
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