Erik ten Hag wants a new midfielder for Manchester United, but it won’t be Edson Álvarez

One of the things that Manchester United will have to improve for the 2022-23 Premier League season is the midfield, especially since Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata will leave Old Trafford over the summer as free agents.

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The arrival of Erik ten Hag as the new coach of the Red Devil opens interesting opportunities for the players that could arrive to fill the open spots that Manchester United will have in the midfield, as he has showed interest in arriving to Premier League with some of AFC Ajax players.

One of the names that has been linked the most to ten Hag and Manchester United in recent weeks is Mexican international Edson Álvarez, who the Dutchman knows very well as he’s become an essential player on his lineup at the Godenzonen.

It also seems one of the most affordable options, as the current market value of the 24-year-old defensive midfielder is set at $21 million. And even if he was labeled as the favorite to replace Paul Pogba, in recent days ten Hag has shifted his attention to a former Ajax player.

Who is the midfielder that Erik ten Hag wants?

Although Álvarez is still on the mix to arrive at Manchester United for next season, given the economic power that the Red Devils have, he’s become the second option for the Dutchman, as he now is after FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, according to reports from Diario As.

De Jong joined the Blaugranas back in 2019 after having a breakout season the prior year with Ajax thanks to the coaching of Erik ten Hag. And now that the Dutchman will have at his disposition the financial stability of one of England’s biggest teams, he wants to reunite with him.

Although Xavi Hernández has said in the past that the 25-year-old midfielder is essential for his playing system, the economical situation in which Barcelona currently are going could push them to sell him if the right offer arrives at Camp Nou.

How much will Manchester United have to pay for him?

According to Transfermarkt, his current market value is set around $73 million, a figure that Manchester United could pay if they are serious about his addition, although ten Hag will also have to convince him to leave Barcelona, as the same reports suggest that his priority is to stay with the Blaugranas.

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