Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is trying to convince Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong join him at Old Trafford.
The La Liga side are struggling financially and are open to letting the midfielder leave the Camp Nou.
On Monday, Sport reported the Catalan club are waiting for Manchester United to send a formal offer for the 25-year-old.
Mundo Deportivo state the Blaugrana’s road map for the transfer window is to first release some of their players who don’t fit into Xavi Hernández’s plans. This can help Barca lighten wage bill, which is needed to bring in new faces.
It’s claimed only the Netherlands international, who is in the orbit of the Red Devils, and Martin Braithwaite, who has an affordable price, ‘could be sold’ this summer.
With regards to the former Ajax man, there have been claims in England about Manchester United making an offer to Barcelona. Mundo explain no such proposal has arrived at the Camp Nou as Ten Hag’s side have not made an ‘official offer’ for De Jong so far.
While Xavi’s side wait for an official proposal for the Dutchman, his compatriot and former United player, Arnold Mühren has heaped praise on De Jong.
“If you use Frenkie as he could play now (for the Netherlands), he is not one of the best midfielders in Europe but in the world. Barcelona also got him for this role at the time, because that made him stand out at Ajax,” Mühren told De Telegraaf.
“At Barca, Busquets is in his place, but that’s another player. Busquets is more about hitting and playing it once. Frenkie can outplay a man, is much more agile and can take the ball… So, it’s just how the coach sees it with a player in that position.
“When I see him excel again against the Belgians, I think: gosh, it would be nice if he could play this football every week at Barcelona. I really liked him in Brussels.”