De Jong to Man United could still happen as scenario is explained

Frenkie de Jong is likely to join Manchester United at the end of the summer transfer window, according to Marcel van der Kraan.

The Dutch midfielder has been at the centre of the summer’s biggest transfer saga with Erik ten Hag determined to bring him to Old Trafford from Barcelona.

Unfortunately that move has been far from straightforward, with a dispute over de Jong’s unpaid wages forming a major road block in a potential deal.

Such a dispute has led to a wider moral issue following Barcelona’s blockbuster summer signings for the likes of Raphinha from Leeds and Jules Kounde from Sevilla, with the Catalan giant forking out in excess of £100million on new signings.

While de Jong’s future hangs in the balance, Dutch football expert van der Kraan believes that de Jong will get a move to Manchester United, however it could depend on who blinks first.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I’ve been diving into this in the last seven or eight days and, in a way, it’s a tragic story. But on the other hand I always say that there’s no tragedy when it comes to money and professional footballers.

“It comes to down to the tragedy of a few million more or a few million less.

“It’s mostly the principle which is at stake.

“Does football let Barcelona get away with the treatment of a player when you sign players worth £100million and give them wages of £10m, £15m or £20m but don’t want to pay what you owe another player, someone who has given his heart for the club of Barcelona.

“Frenkie de Jong has never done anything bad or said anything bad, he’s been an absolute pro. In this case the player is right to stand up for his rights.

“Of course the question now is about who will bend, Frenkie or Barcelona?

“Barcelona need to register the new players with LaLiga and can only do that if they get rid of Frenkie’s wages from the wage bill.

“Frenkie says he’s not going until he’s had his wages and so it will probably go a long way into the transfer window and at the last minute there will be a solution.

“I think he will come to Manchester United, but only on the last day.”