Frenkie de Jong is the priority target for Manchester United and earlier reports from Spain stressed Barcelona want €80m or more to sanction his sale this summer.
It was also explained the midfielder’s desire is to stay at the Camp Nou, but is aware the La Liga side are trying to offload him to improve their economic conditions.
This case took a new twist on Monday when United CEO Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough were pictured in Barcelona, where they had held talks with the Blaugrana for the 25-year-old.
Sport on Tuesday claim the United delegation met Barca to ‘present a proposal to convince them’ to let the Netherlands international leave.
The newspaper reiterates the Catalan club are ready to sell, but will need an offer in excess of €80m.
The hardest job for the Red Devils will be to convince the ex-Ajax star, who is keen to stay at Barca.
If Xavi Hernández’s side were to receive a good offer, then they could ask De Jong to change his mind, and United believe they can convince him to join their project under Erik ten Hag.
Over at AS, they explain Arnold and Murtough’s meeting with the La Liga side confirms De Jong’s ‘sale is more alive than ever’.
The player returned to pre-season training yesterday and is aware of the club’s plan to sell him in the summer window.
The Dutchman could be one of the economic levers, as his exit will help Barcelona raise funds and lower their wage bill by €30m. Although there has been talks of a demand of €80m, AS add it remains to be seen what Manchester United will offer in terms of fixed fee and variables.
The only possible way for De Jong to stay at Barcelona is by taking a pay cut, something that he is not willing to consider.
Therefore, AS state United will have to ‘agree to each and every one of Frenkie de Jong’s requests at the salary level so that the operation ends up closing or it will run aground’.
Journalist Oriol Domènech, however, was a lot bolder when explaining his information to Esport3’s program, Onze, relayed by Mundo Deporitvo.
He claims United and Barcelona have ‘closed an agreement’ for €85m including bonuses over De Jong’s transfer.
After meeting Arnold and Murtough on Monday, Barca sporting director Mateu Alemany went to Ciutat Esportiva, to meet Xavi, where he informed about Manchester United’s intention to sign De Jong and the conditions agreed with them for the player’s sale.
Domènech states De Jong is grateful of United’s interest, but the most important aspect is to convince him to join Erik ten Hag’s side this summer.
Both United and Barca hope that in the end, the midfielder will accept the situation and change his mind to make a switch to Old Trafford.
