Frenkie de Jong remains reluctant to sign for Manchester United - and he might not even have his dream shirt number available if he does join them.
The 25-year-old, who's being flogged by Barcelona this summer amid a £14million salary dispute due to unpaid wages, is now mulling over a move to Old Trafford after the Red Devils struck a £63.5million agreement to sign him. But another new face may well rock up in Manchester first: Lisandro Martinez.
With personal terms agreed and a £46.5m fee finalised after United chiefs made the trip to Amsterdam, the defender's transfer is now a matter of time. Progress on Martinez's switch means that he'll be free to take the No.21 shirt at Old Trafford, having been vacated by Edinson Cavani at the end of last season.
However, 21 is De Jong's favourite shirt number, having donned it for both Ajax and Barcelona. The midfielder also wears 21 for the Netherlands at international level, with sentiment playing a large part in his decision to take it at Barcelona when he arrived at the Camp Nou in 2019.
"I feel comfortable with that number," De Jong stated. "I could easily play with another number, you know, it's not a problem, but it is nice that it also gives people a way of recognising me. I brought my whole family to my presentation in Barcelona, except my grandfather Hans de Jong, my father's father. He died on the day of my 21st birthday. Unconsciously it is also a kind of tribute. He was a huge football fan."
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The Dutchman had been offered the iconic No.14 by the Blaugrana - notably the number worn by compatriot and Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff - but De Jong rejected it, believing that its stature was "too much." The silky playmaker added: "I don't think it's very wise to take the number 14 shirt. I don't want to be compared with Johan Cruyff, that's too much."
Therefore, De Jong could be on a collision course with potential teammate Martinez, also fond of No.21. The left-footed centre-back has, however, worn a variety of numbers for Argentina on the international stage, including 14 which is now free in Manchester following the departure Jesse Lingard.
Whichever number Martinez ends up with, the 24-year-old's replica shirts have a good chance of flying off the shelves. Nicknamed 'The Butcher of Amsterdam' thanks to his aggressive style of play, Red Devils supporters are set to take a liking to Martinez, who United hope can sign in time to join the club's pre-season tour of Australia.
Christian Eriksen, who coincidentally just wore 21 at Brentford for the first time in career, is also in line to become one of Erik ten Hag 's first signings as Red Devils boss. The United manager is keen to improve his midfield and attack this summer, with De Jong his top priority target ahead of the 2022-23 season proper, which kicks off at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, August 7.
