Frenkie de Jong: Manchester United continuing positive talks with Barcelona over transfer
Talks between Manchester United and Barcelona over Frenkie de Jong are progressing positively on a transfer worth around €65 million guaranteed with further add-ons.
It is understood those add-ons, if met, could take the deal to Barcelona’s asking price of around €80 million. There are still thought to be details to the deal to work through — and there is a belief Barcelona could still look to hold out for more up front than €65 million in a bid to resolve their financial situation.
De Jong, 25, has been the subject of interest from United since the end of last season as he is Erik ten Hag’s priority target.
Barcelona signed De Jong from Ajax for £86 million in 2019 and he has since made 140 appearances for the Catalan club.
However, Barcelona’s financial situation meant De Jong’s future was hanging in the balance, with debts of £1 billion and strict controls on recruitment and expenditure.
The Catalan press have reported that De Jong could be sold to address the restrictions, especially with talented midfielders Gavi, Pedri, and Nico Gonzalez emerging from the academy.
Under Ten Hag, De Jong was one of the shining stars in the Ajax side that reached the Champions League semi-final in 2018-19, where they beat the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus to reach the latter stages of the competition.
Ten Hag took charge of his first training session as United manager on Monday.
Both De Jong and Malacia deals agreed with their clubs - personal terms now.
The money saved by playing hard ball with Barcelona on De Jong is what they’re using to pay for Malacia according to a few sources. Well played by Murtough if it’s true.
On to Eriksen now and plenty left in the kitty yet.
Malacia deal beind held up as he has a legal issue. He’s trying to switch to using his Dad as his agent before signing. His current agent is the same as De Jong’s.
The clickbait Twitter account all speculating the De Jong’s agent may take this badly and walking away from his commission for completing his agent’s transfer.
