KEY POINTS
- Frenkie de Jong is contracted with Barca until 2026
- Barca defeated the likes of PSG, and Man City in 2019 to sign de Jong
- Man Utd are now preparing a new offer to sign de Jong
Frenkie de Jong is reportedly open to joining Manchester United in the ongoing summer window.
Manchester United’s new boss Erik ten Hag has made it clear to the club that they need to make major signings to bolster their midfield ahead of the 2022-23 season. The Old Trafford side is gearing up to make a new offer for de Jong by next week, according to Barca Universal via Dutch outlet De Telegraaf. However, International Business Times, could not verify it independently.
Ten Hag has asked the Red Devils to sign de Jong and Christian Eriksen, two players well-versed with the boss’ ways. Barcelona turned down a $73 million bid from Manchester United for de Jong.
Barcelona are also expecting Manchester United to approach them by next week with a new proposal, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has a credible record in the European transfer market.
The Camp Nou side is letting de Jong leave only to balance their financial books. However, it is understood that they won’t part ways with the Dutchman for cheap.
On the other hand, despite initially labeling de Jong with a huge asking price of around $104 million, it has been reported that the club is willing to reduce it to $83 million.
Barcelona had hoped to negotiate a higher fee, considering there was interest from several clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Manchester City, and Bayern Munich, apart from Manchester United. But the talks have not gone to the next level because of the quoted figures so far.
It has also been reported that Manchester City are planning to swoop in at the last minute and secure the services of de Jong. The Etihad side is expected to include Barca’s target midfielder Bernardo Silva in the deal to reduce de Jong’s transfer fee.
Lionel Messi with Frenkie de Jong during a Barcelona game Photo: AFP / Marco BERTORELLO
In the summer of 2019, Barcelona defeated the likes of Paris PSG, Manchester City, and United in the race to sign De Jong from Ajax. The Catalans had paid around $78 million to secure the Dutch midfielder, who has been a regular at Barcelona since then.
De Jong, who is contracted with Barcelona until 2026, scored four goals and six assists in 46 appearances for the Catalans in the 2021-22 campaign in all competitions. In three full seasons at Barca, De Jong has clocked 140 appearances, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists.
