Manchester United club chiefs scuppered a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong because they had doubts about his price tag.
According to AD.nl via Sport Witness, United chiefs by their own admission, recognize that they messed up a deal for the player by failing to act swiftly and decisively.
Algemeen Dagblad reports, “Talks between the club and his agents were ‘running smoothly and it was made clear what it would cost to sign him, in terms of transfer price and salary demand and bonuses, before the international games in June.”
“But the final step was not taken by those higher up at Manchester United, partly due to doubts about his price tag.”
“This led to postponement after postponement, much to Ten Hag’s frustration.”
“By June 14th there is still no final agreement between the clubs and when the midfielder returns from his holidays a few weeks later, ‘precious time seems to have been wasted.”
After multiple deferrals by the Red Devils and those who were negotiating the deal, De Jong and his representatives decided to intensify their efforts to guarantee a Barcelona stay.
“Manchester United were left feeling that if they’d been more ‘decisive’ in the spring they’d have got their man.”
As per the report, this was not the only deal United whose actions left those at the top of the hierarchy regretful of their approach.
“Indeed, there was a feeling they ‘come to the table’ too late for a number of players, even the ones they managed to sign such as Antony and Lisandro Martinez.”
This aligns with the thoughts and opinions of many supporters that felt the club massively overpaid for the two former Ajax stars.
The De Jong blunder, if this report is anything to go by was of course a massive failure on the Glazers’ part who again failed to get another manager their primary target due to their penny-pinching tendencies and indecisiveness.
