Barcelona have reportedly turned down an offer of €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons for Frenkie de Jong from Manchester United.
According to reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have seen their opening proposal of €60 million plus €10 million in add-ons for Frenkie de Jong get shot down by Barcelona.
Frenkie de Jong has been at the centre of the transfer speculation this off-season as Barcelona are looking to offload the 25-year-old and make some cash amidst their financial woes. Manchester United have emerged as the strongest suitor for the Netherlands international as new manager Erik ten Hag has made him a priority target.
Manchester United need to inject some new blood into their midfield department, having bid goodbye to both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic. It leaves ten Hag with just Fred, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek, who will be back at Old Trafford after a mixed loan spell at Everton during the second half of the last season.
De Jong, to that end, has been made a top priority by Manchester United as he would offer qualities that the current midfielders on the roster are lacking. Barcelona, as iterated earlier, are open to selling their star man due to the economic crisis they are going through and wish to finalise a deal by the end of this month.
Manchester United have made an opening proposal for Frenkie de Jong after talks started June 1. €60m plus €10m add-ons. ??? #MUFC
Barcelona have turned down this opening bid – but clubs remain in contact.
De Jong has never indicated his desire to anyone. He’s still waiting. pic.twitter.com/UlW7NurAAi
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 10, 2022
De Jong had been reluctant to leave Barcelona and had stated that he wished to continue at Camp Nou. However, with it becoming clear that the club are intent on selling him, the former AFC Ajax prodigy is now open to the prospect of reuniting with his former mentor ten Hag at Manchester United this summer.
The Telegraph reported on Friday that Manchester United have opened formal talks with Barcelona over the transfer. And now, Fabrizio Romano has come up with an update on the situation, stating that the Red Devils have tabled their opening offer for the Netherlands international.
As per the Italian journalist, Manchester United offered a fixed sum of €60 million plus another €10 million in add-ons for de Jong. However, Barcelona have rejected the proposal from the Premier League giants. But Romano adds that both clubs are still in contact and talks over a possible transfer are continuing.
Another report from ESPN has claimed that Barcelona want the total package for de Jong to be around €100 million, with the club willing to negotiate on the structure of the fees. Whether Manchester United return with an improved offer will be interesting to see. But given how ardently they are pursuing the midfielder, the Red Devils could work out an arrangement with the Catalans in the coming weeks.
