Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong has revealed that he was urged to join Liverpool after he arrived in Qatar for the World Cup.
United heavily pursued a deal for De Jong over the course of the summer, as the transfer saga dominated the headlines. Erik ten Hag was eager to reunite with his former Ajax player at Old Trafford, yet a deal failed to materialise.
Barcelona and United even got as far as agreeing terms for the midfielder, but little progress was made following the early breakthrough in negotiations.
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The move was complicated further following an apparent legal complication surrounding money allegedly owed to the Dutch player.
De Jong will represent the Netherlands at the upcoming World Cup. Led by former United manager Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands squad have already arrived in Qatar ahead of their opening match against Senegal.
The players met with some of the migrant workers who helped build the stadiums and facilities for the tournament, as one member of the group took their chance to attempt to convince the Barcelona man to make the move to Merseyside.
"It was special for them [the workers], but also for us," De Jong told Dutch outlet AD.NL (via Liverpool Echo ). "It gives us energy and joy.
"A lot of people came and there was no time to have a personal conversation. One guy told me I had to join Liverpool! We loved doing this, but now the focus goes to Senegal."
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