Iconic Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand is convinced Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong wants to move to Old Trafford this summer.
Multiple reports across Europe have suggested the Dutch international has no interest in joining the Red Devils despite the clubs agreeing a £71million deal. The reasons claimed range from a lack of Champions League football, an overrated previous relationship with Erik Ten Hag, to an alleged disdain for the city of Manchester.
But Ferdinand isn't having it and he is certain his former team would not be allowing themselves to be chasing a player and then come up short, if there wasn't a belief a deal could be struck. And several United sleuths on social media have floated the theory in recent weeks, believing De Jong's camp are happy to play down United in a bid to get his deferred wages from Barcelona before he heads to England.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: "If Man Utd had an inkling that he wasn't looking to come to Man Utd, I don't think they'd still be in the race. I don't think they'd be in the conversation - they'd distance themselves straight away.
"The fact Man Utd haven't distanced themselves - and the relationship Erik ten Hag will have with Frenkie de Jong from their time together at Ajax - says to me the player still has the intentions to come to Man Utd.
"But the situation isn't as clear cut as that, as we can see. For me, it's not ideal. Man Utd have got a couple of problems going on at the moment in the transfer window. Man City and Liverpool, [it's been] plain sailing. They've got their business done, they're fine, they're working towards the start of the season from a much cleaner base."
The latest twist in De Jong's future is he is wanted by Chelsea. But those amateur detectives remain convinced he will become a United player.
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