Former Ajax and Netherlands midfielder Marciano Vink believes Manchester United would be the perfect destination for Frenkie de Jong this summer.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move away from Barcelona with Erik ten Hag keen to bring the Dutch midfielder to Old Trafford in the transfer window. The pair worked together at Ajax and helped the club reach the Champions League semi-final during the 2018/19 season.
It is thought Ten Hag is hoping to convince De Jong to join United and has assured him he will be a key player in their rebuild despite no Champions League football for the Red Devils next term. They finished sixth in the Premier League, 11 points behind fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur and will participate in the Europa League instead.
Reports claim the Red Devils are willing to pay £69million for the player, meaning De Jong would become United's fifth most expensive signing of all-time behind Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire, Romelu Lukaku and Jadon Sancho. Ten Hag is yet to sign anyone since joining the club from Ajax, but wants to have a Dutch influence in the dressing room, with defender Jurrien Timber also a top target.
Although De Jong has previously hinted he is happy at Barcelona, Vink claimed he should sign for United instead. He also added that, contrary to reports, De Jong is "not satisfied" at the club.
He told ESPN FC: "First of all, you need to get the players and they need to want to play for Man United. Of course, Man United is not in the Champions League, that will affect some players because they want to play in the Champions League.
"For instance, Frenkie de Jong I think he will be brilliant at Man United. He’s a player Man United need (for) the transition between defence and midfield. Just his style of play, his dominance, he’s the man who can give it and he knows Ten Hag of course."
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He added: "He is not satisfied with his role, he is not satisfied with his performance at Barcelona. For sure he wants to do better and he wants to prove to everybody that he's the right man.
"But as long as Busquets is playing in his role, it's going to be very difficult. For me it's a no-brainer to go to Man United and link up again with your former manager and just give Man United a new face.
"For me that's more challenging than waiting for Busquets to retire. I do believe that Man United is going to be the place where he can develop and also help Man United get back to where they belong.
"He is a special player, he's a guy who can dribble, who can put players on the wrong foot, he can create situations. He is a leader and I do believe that Man United is lacking leaders.
"Of course they have great players but leaders besides Ronaldo, I don't see them. You need somebody to make the transition from defence to midfield and start directing the player."
