Frenkie de Jong's move to Manchester United is getting closer and Erik ten Hag seems likely to secure his favoured signing.
Many reports have suggested that United are closing in on the deal for the Barcelona midfielder, with different fees being suggested.
In what originally seemed like a very difficult deal to complete, United were helped by the fact that the Spanish club needed to sell and there were no other suitors for the Dutch midfielder.
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However, the club also needed to convince the 25-year-old of the move, which was a hard task for a player whose dream it was to play at the Nou Camp.
The lure of Erik ten Hag, the manager who got the best out of De Jong when the were together at Ajax, was one key factor.
Another one was the temptation of working in his ideal role under his former manager.
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De Jong has often been unable to operate as the focal point at the Catalan club, with veteran Sergio Busquets still going strong 14 years after his Barca debut.
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Being touted as the centrepiece in Ten Hag's system at Old Trafford is clearly an attraction and has been said to be key to the player's decision.
Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan has been following the developments of this transfer for the last weeks.
He suggests that playing in his preferred role under Ten Hag is 'key' behind De Jong's decision to switch.
"Frenkie de Jong has not even been playing in his best position at Barcelona as that's where Sergio Busquets has been playing." He told Sky Sports.
"That's one of the key reasons why he thinks he might have a better role under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United."
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Different reports have supported the notion that the Netherlands international will be crucial to the way that Ten Hag wants to operate, with the latest from Simon Stone saying that the manager knows De Jong would be perfect for the plans he has at the Theatre of Dreams.
With United set to jet off on their pre-season tour in two weeks time, Ten Hag will be desperate to have the midfielder on board for their opening fixture against Liverpool in Thailand on 12 June.
Several more incomings are expected following the signing of the Dutchman.
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United are in need of support in several areas of the pitch, including an additional midfielder.
Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata have all left the club. Andreas Pereira is close to an exit to another Premier League outfit.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Frenkie De Jong, Barcelona, Transfers, Premier League, Football
