Jules Kounde to Barcelona could push Frenkie de Jong closer to Manchester United

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Frenkie de Jong‘s summer is not working out as he has liked. While he has clung on at Barcelona so far, staying put may not be the wisest move.

On Barcelona’s pre-season tour, De Jong has been utilised as a back-up centre-back. His manager Xavi confirmed this could be utilised if he stays.

Xavi told AS: “[Frenkie] can give us a lot as a [centre-back]. I like him in that position.”

It’s as if Barcelona are daring him to stay, amid claims via Fabrizio Romano a fee is agreed with Manchester United, and a deal is just waiting on the player. More bad news could be on the way.

READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23

Jules Kounde to Barcelona

De Jong being considered as a centre-back looks like a disaster for him, if he stays. He is one of the world’s top midfielders and Barcelona do not appear willing to use him there.

They already have Gavi, Pedri, Sergio Busquets, Franck Kessie and Miralem Pjanic who each appear to be ahead of him in Xavi’s new pecking order.

Even if there was a spot available at centre-back, it doesn’t appear it will stay this way. The Mail report Barcelona are poised to win the race to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla ahead of Chelsea in a £60 million deal.

Sport report personal terms are agreed for Kounde to sign for Barcelona, with Sevilla content for the defender to pick his next club.

So the addition of another centre-back is a further blow to for Frenkie de Jong’s chances of playing time, and he increasingly looks as if he has no future at the club.

And then there is the question of just how Barcelona could manage to afford Kounde, in addition to deals already struck for Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.

A major sale is expected to be required to balance the books, with De Jong the player they can fetch the biggest fee for, who they are willing to part ways with.

Barcelona appear to be forcing De Jong out, while Manchester United wait. Kounde’s move to the Nou Camp could force the issue.

The sooner De Jong accepts he has no future at the club and embraces his move to reunite with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, the better it will be for everybody.