Frenkie de Jong is getting ‘closer and closer’ to leaving Barcelona, with a move to Manchester United ‘95% closed’.
That’s according to AS, relaying information from journalist Gerard Romero and outlet Jijantes, who say a deal for €70-80m ‘could be closed’ sooner rather than later.
The newspaper explains that a deal between Manchester United and Barcelona for de Jong is 95% closed and could even be finalised before the end of the season in Spain.
That is an advance on several reports over the last few days, which have linked de Jong with a reunion with former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at Manchester United this summer.
Those reports claimed that Barcelona had surprisingly put De Jong on the saleable list this summer as they look to raise funds for transfer business and to alleviate the financial troubles at the Nou Camp.
United are thought to be keen, having chased the player in the past, and two reports today had put them at the front of the queue for his signature.
AS’s coverage of Jijantes now backs that up, stating that a deal is almost completely done and could be closed for a fee between €70-80m.
They explain that Barcelona consider the sale an ‘economic necessity’, and the presence of Ten Hag at Manchester United has proven to be the ‘perfect spark’ to ‘accelerate the negotiation’ between the two clubs.
A figure of €70m would allow Barcelona to amortize the remaining transfer fees on their books and crucially get his €11m net contract off the books.
The sale is one that is causing a great internal debate at the club, but manager Xavi has questioned the player’s leadership internally and would be happy to replace him with Valencia’s Carlos Soler.
Thus, a deal is now being pushed, with De Jong even half accepting he will be moved on, despite recently buying a new house in Barcelona and showing a desire to remain this summer.
