The transfer deadline is upon us. Within two days, the fans will learn about the fate of any new players that may or may not join their teams.
The clubs, however, are in complete panic mode, scrambling whatever resources are left to sign their targets if not done already. Chelsea, who was eyeing Leicester City’s defender Wesley Fofana, has finally brought him to Stamford Bridge after much hesitance from the Foxes.
Manchester United, who was lacking in the initial days of the transfer window, now seems to have learned from their mistakes and has completed two crucial signings of Casemiro from Real Madrid and Antony from Ajax for a combined total of €170 million.
The Brazilian is expected to ease the woes in the midfield while the Ajax star, Antony is a flamboyant winger who could leave defenders in the mud. Both these signings have given United a fair chance to build their squad, but the one target that has eluded them throughout this window is Barcelona’s majestic midfielder, Frenkie de Jong.
Before taking the reins of Manchester United, Erik ten Hag had made his priorities clear to the sporting director of the club. The former Ajax manager wanted De Jong at the centre of his midfield and asked the club to put the plan into action to bring the 25-year-old to Old Trafford.
But a complicated issue of deferred wages at the Catalan club struck a huge blow to United’s pursuit of the Dutchman. Slowly, Chelsea also emerged as a contender to sign De Jong that only put more pressure on the Red Devils.
Making matters worse for Ten Hag was De Jong’s rigidness to stay at Camp Nou and flourish under Xavi. The young midfielder was to become the face of the Ten Hag era at United, but the situation has lingered for far too long.
United believe they can still get hold of De Jong and an unlikely opportunity seems to have arisen.
Donny van de Beek, the player who has been ignored by United the most in the recent past, is getting married. Ten Hag and De Jong have been invited to this celebration. It will be a social event where the two will be under one roof.
Ten Hag has been looking for a chance like this and now he has it. Some believe it is the most opportune moment just before the transfer deadline to get De Jong’s signature and bring him to Old Trafford once and for all. The wedding is a perfect setup and the fans believe it might just work.
All those failed efforts in the last two months can be put to bed if Ten Hag brings his best skills of persuasion to this wedding.
We have no way of knowing how the conversation or meeting might unravel between Ten Hag and De Jong. Will it just be personal or will the mood turn sour because of the business proposal from Ten Hag?
The Manchester United fans do have some idea. Take a look.
If by some miracle Ten Hag manages to pull off De Jong’s signature on a new deal, every defeat so far would be forgotten and United can finally boast of a squad that fights for glory every weekend.