Two days ago, Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough were in Barcelona to hold talks with the La Liga side for Frenkie de Jong.
On Tuesday, various claims insisted a deal for the midfielder is more alive than ever after the Red Devils made a trip to Spain.
Journalist Oriol Domènech stated Manchester United and Barca have agreed a deal worth €85m. He also went on to add Erik ten Hag and his side will have to convince the Netherlands international to carry out his signing.
The former Ajax star returned to training on Monday and it’s not clear whether he will make it to Barcelona’s pre-season tour in the coming days.
Domènech’s claim is relayed in today’s edition of AS, who then provide an update on this case. They stress the Dutchman’s desire is to stay at the Camp Nou, but he is also aware the Catalan club want to sell him and Xavi has ‘given green light’ for his exit.
The question remains whether De Jong will stay at Barca where he is not needed or will he make a move to United, ‘where they love him’.
AS end their report by stating: ‘For now, he has trained professionally, which is what he has to do, but he doesn’t want to be wasting time either. His goodbye seems imminent.’
Mundo Deportivo have a report on the Spanish club’s financial situation. Although work is being done on that front, the big problem today is their wage bill and they will not be able to register new players until it is lowered.
Mundo add that at the moment, the situation is so critical Barca cannot register their new signings, Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen. De Jong’s exit can help them to an extent in this regard. 
Therefore, Xavi and Barcelona’s sporting leaders met with the Dutchman to explain their situation.
They have ‘invited him to assess the offer’ from Manchester United, but De Jong stands firm in his desire to stay at the Camp Nou.
De Jong doesn’t consider himself to be responsible for Barca’s current financial problems.
