Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United is an ongoing transfer saga that, currently, has no end in sight. The Barcelona star is a priority target for Erik ten Hag, who previously managed the midfielder at Ajax. So, with the club’s pursuit ongoing, Express Sport will now take a look at everything we know about the Red Devils’ pursuit of the 25-year-old.
It was six weeks ago when news broke that Ten Hag wanted to be reunited with De Jong.
The duo previously were successful together, winning trophies at Ajax and also helping the Amsterdam outfit reach the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.
United need a new midfielder this summer - or two ideally - following the departures of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.
They currently have James Garner, Donny van de Beek, Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes as options for the middle of the park.
But with Ten Hag looking to improve United following a shambolic season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, they’re hellbent on bringing De Jong to Old Trafford.
At the moment, United remain locked in talks with Barcelona. They have been for weeks, now.
Frenkie de Jong to Man Utd: Barcelona transfer saga remains ongoing (Image: GETTY)
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The Catalan giants need to balance their finances, especially given their desire to register signings such as Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie - who have touched down from Chelsea and AC Milan respectively.
Barcelona chief Joan Laporta recently said he wanted the club’s finances sorted by June 30, saying: “We were in a very tight financial situation and that is the priority now.
“We have clearly worked very hard this year.
“If we can sort out the club’s finances before June 30, and I think we will, then we will be able to undertake all the operations we have planned.”
But they don’t want to be Barcelona’s financial solution. Hence their reluctance to meet the Catalan giants’ asking price.
At first, Barcelona told United they’d need to match the £89million fee they paid for Pogba back in the summer transfer window of 2016.
Yet when the Red Devils made it clear they wouldn’t go that high, the situation changed.
Barcelona are now willing to accept a reduced fee for the player and there’s a sense that a fee in the region of £68m, plus add-ons, would see a transfer struck.
Yet United are determined to haggle and that’s why there’s been a hold-up.