Barcelona will reportedly ask Manchester United to pay around €100 million to secure the services of Frenkie de Jong in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Manchester United will have to fork out around €100 million to secure the services of Frenkie de Jong in the summer transfer window. The Dutch international could leave Barcelona ahead of the 2022/23 season to help the Blaugrana raise funds for transfers.
Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona from Ajax in July 2019 and has since been one of the most reliable performers for the Blaugrana. The 25-year-old’s stint with Barcelona has coincided with one of their worst modern-day phases, meaning they have not achieved much success over the last three years.
The Dutch midfielder has turned out 138 times for Barcelona thus far, chipping in with 13 goals and 17 assists. But de Jong faces an uncertain future at Barcelona, who could look to cash in on him in the summer transfer window to balance their books and fund moves. Such a situation has captured the attention of some of the most high profile clubs in Europe, including Manchester United.
The interest from Manchester United stems from Nemanja Matic’s decision to depart from Old Trafford in the summer transfer window. In addition, Paul Pogba will likely leave Manchester United, leaving a gaping hole in their midfield unit. That has brought de Jong into the picture, with the Barcelona midfielder an ideal replacement.
Recent reports have even indicated that de Jong might be open to leaving Barcelona amid rising uncertainties surrounding his future. At the same time, several other clubs, including Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, have also joined Manchester United in the race to sign the 25-year-old.
But suitors will need to shell out a nine-figure sum to secure the services of the Dutch midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Barcelona slapping a €100 million price tag on him. And paying €100 million to sign de Jong might not be a problem for Manchester United, even though recent reports had pointed towards a €75 million bid.
Suggestions this week have pointed towards Manchester United closing in on signing Frenkie de Jong. And Barcelona’s €100 million price tag could rule some other suitors out of contention and bring Manchester United closer to him. The presence of Erik ten Hag in the dugout will also help the Red Devils’ case, but it will be interesting to see if they look to drive down the valuation in the coming weeks.