Frenkie de Jong to become Erik ten Hag’s first signing despite Tyrell Malacia breakthrough | OneFootball

Manchester United are finally moving in the transfer market and after a protracted saga, it looks like the Old Trafford club are about to wrap up the signing of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.

United have been pursuing the 25-year-old since the end of last season but there seems to have been a breakthrough in negotiations.

Earlier on Tuesday, journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano admitted that an agreement between United and Barcelona was ‘really, really close’.

Now, those suggestions have been corroborated as it has emerged that United have had bids accepted for De Jong and Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia. That’s according to The Mirror, who say that De Jong will become the first signing under Ten Hag despite the sudden developments in the deal to sign Malacia.

As per the report, United have seen bids accepted for both players and the deal to bring De Jong to Old Trafford will see them pay an initial £56m upfront plus add-ons, taking the transfer to £70m.

Read more: Tyrell Malacia arrival to push defender out of Manchester United

Personal terms are not believed to have been agreed with the former Ajax star yet but that is thought to be a formality. Interestingly, De Jong shares an agent with Malacia, Victor Lindelof and Donny van de Beek.

De Jong is set to earn around £250,000 per week in Manchester in what should be a five-year deal, tying him down to the club until 2027.

Furthermore, with the finer details on the add-ons still to be completed, the transfer should be concluded in the coming days.

SN’s verdict… After many weeks of ifs, buts and maybes, United fans will be delighted to see their club make some moves in the market. Ten Hag’s first pre-season in charge of the club is already underway and although the full squad is yet to return, the new boss will be desperate to introduce fresh faces sooner rather than later.

There has also been a spike in Dutch players linked to the club and evidently, Ten Hag is keen to sign players he’s familiar with as he bids to turn United’s fortunes around.

De Jong and Malacia are both regulars for club and country and the sooner United wrap both deals up, the better off will Ten Hag be in his preparations.

United kick off their campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on August 7.