Manchester United’s pursuit of Frenkie De Jong is reportedly over according to The Athletic, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the Dutchman won’t be on the move before the transfer deadline.
Indeed, with De Jong and Barcelona at loggerheads over contract issues and deferred wages, there’s every chance that the midfielder will still be leaving Camp Nou this summer.
Chelsea have been linked and look like the most likely destination, but throughout the summer there have been some tentative links to Liverpool.
One man who wants to see De Jong at Anfield is Jose Enrique, with the former Reds left-back imploring the Merseyside club to sign De Jong via social media.
Enrique says that De Jong would be the perfect midfield signing for Liverpool, and we’re inclined to agree.
The Reds have really been lacking control in the middle of the park so far this season, especially after the injury to Thiago, and De Jong would bring that element of composure back to the midfield.
De Jong is a brilliant ball-carrying, press-resistant midfielder, and that’s what Jurgen Klopp needs right now.
Teams such as Fulham and Manchester United have gotten a lot of joy against Liverpool by pressuring the central areas, but given De Jong’s class and ability to move the ball quickly, he would massively help Liverpool play around that strategy.
Other managers seem to think they have found the blueprint to play against Liverpool – press the midfield and attack quickly behind the Reds’ high-line, but signing De Jong would force the opposition to go back to the drawing board with their tactics.
This wouldn’t be a cheap signing for Liverpool, but if the Reds can find the money to get this one done, they should be all over this transfer.
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