Rafael van der Vaart has urged Frenkie de Jong to join Manchester United, saying that a transfer to Old Trafford would be ‘perfect’ for the Barcelona midfielder.
Erik Ten Hag is attempting to persuade his former Ajax teammate to leave the Camp Nou this summer after offering him a major role in United’s future plans.
De Jong’s initial choice was to stay at Barcelona, where his contract is up in two years.
However, the Catalan giants were under financial pressure this summer, with Marca describing United’s offer of €60 million plus €20 million in add-ons as ‘too essential not to accept.’
While de Jong is concerned about United’s lack of Champions League play next season, former Real Madrid and Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart believes United is the correct fit for him, claiming the midfielder will be “the only one of his kind” at Old Trafford.
‘That is of course the most ideal. Then you have a trainer who knows exactly what you can and cannot do,’ Van der Vaart told Ziggo Sport, referring to ten Hag. ‘And United still need a little quality.’
‘There are players who can do the same and maybe be better than you or have performed more.
‘As long as those other players are there, he is out of place at Barcelona. At United he could play more like with the Dutch national team. Then he’s the only one of his kind.’
Reports in Spain have claimed de Jong’s agent is set to travel to Spain in the next 48 hours in order to discuss the midfielder’s future at the club.
Ten Hag has made strengthening United’s midfield a priority this summer following the departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.