Key Takeaways:
- Barcelona have secured Frenkie de Jong’s services until 2029 after he agreed to a new contract and a pay reduction
- Manchester United reignited interest in De Jong ahead of the January transfer window but now look poised to miss out
- De Jong has featured in four of Barcelona’s six matches this season, including their 2-0 Champions League victory over Newcastle
Manchester United’s Pursuit of De Jong Hits Dead End
Manchester United have been actively seeking to reinforce Ruben Amorim’s midfield options in anticipation of the January transfer window. The pursuit has seen a host of prominent names being linked, with the Dutch international Frenkie de Jong once again emerging as a prime target. Insights from Mick Brown, a seasoned figure in Old Trafford’s recruitment circles, confirmed United’s ongoing interest in De Jong, a player long admired by the club.
The links with De Jong date back to his prolific period at Ajax, before his move to Barcelona. United have since attempted to lure him away from the Catalan club on multiple occasions without success. Brown stated: “Man United have tried to sign De Jong before. When he was at Ajax, they had a look at him but he chose to go to Barcelona, and since then they’ve tried to sign him from Barcelona as well but could never agree a deal. He’s a very good player, he showed that again when he played against Newcastle, I thought he had a really good game… Everybody knows Amorim wants a new midfielder and he has been one they like the look of… It looks like it’ll be up to him, if he fancies a move then he’ll look at his options and Man United will be among them, but otherwise he might decide to stay at Barcelona.”
🚨 Frenkie de Jong is closing in on a new contract at Barcelona after an agreement over a new four-year deal was reached.
(Source: @MundoDeportivo) pic.twitter.com/hsVdmkBZLY
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) September 24, 2025
Barcelona Confirm De Jong Extension Amidst United Interest
While Manchester United had reignited hopes of landing De Jong, developments in Spain have firmly curtailed those ambitions. Barcelona have successfully persuaded De Jong to accept a pay cut and penned a contract extension that keeps him at the Nou Camp until 2029, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo.
De Jong’s importance to Barcelona has been underlined by his involvement in four out of six games thus far this season for the club, including a standout display in their 2-0 Champions League win over Newcastle. Manager Hansi Flick continues to rely on De Jong as a critical figure in midfield.
| Player | New Contract Duration | Number of Appearances (2023/24) | Notable Matches | Contract Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frenkie de Jong | Until 2029 | 4 out of 6 | 2-0 vs Newcastle (Champions League) | Accepted reduced wages |
Next Steps for United’s Midfield Reinforcement
The latest development forces Manchester United to once again explore alternative options as they look to boost Amorim’s squad. The club had also been monitoring Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton, although their plans will now need to shift in light of De Jong’s decision to commit his long-term future to Barcelona.
De Jong had previously drawn high praise from the likes of former United manager Louis van Gaal, who described him as “incredible” for his national team performances in 2022 during the height of speculation over a potential move to Old Trafford.
