Arsenal and Manchester United may not contest to sign Frenkie De Jong due to the finances involved in any deal for the Barcelona midfielder.
According to Ben Jacobs via Give Me Sport, Arsenal and Manchester United are not in contention to sign Frenkie De Jong if he becomes available. The potential costs of signing the midfielder and his salary will prove difficult for the Premier League giants to ponder.
Speculation surrounding Frenkie De Jong refuses to die down despite the midfielder showcasing his importance at Barcelona. The 26-year-old Dutchman featured 43 times for Xavi Hernandez’s side and accumulated massive minutes as one of the key players in the squad,
Yet, with Barcelona’s dwindling finances and the need to raise funds, the midfielder’s name has featured among those who could leave. There have been reports linking to Manchester City, but others like Arsenal and Manchester United have also seen their names mentioned.
Manchester United reportedly agreed a £71 million fee with Barcelona last summer, but De Jong refused to move. For starters, he wanted to remain at the club and the City. But more importantly, the primary issue remained about the 17 million the Spanish side owed in deferred salary payments.
Manchester United had maintained an interest heading into the current window. Erik ten Hag remains looking for a new midfielder to partner with Casemiro, with Amadou Onana one of the options mentioned.
In truth, the Red Devils are facing an indifferent summer, with plenty of emphasis placed on their finances. Ten Hag may not have the luxury of his precessors and will have to take a controlled approach this time.
Hence, they may not afford a move for the €75 million Barcelona star, especially since he earned a reported salary of around £615,000 weekly. Ben Jacobs reckons that may appear the case with the club and their reported interest in the midfielder, as he also ruled out any move from Arsenal.
Jacobs said, “Frenkie de Jong has rumbled on for a year. Every summer, we hear rumours and the player says he wants to stay at Barcelona. I think that will still be the case. If de Jong is to go, it will be a big outlay, which would likely put Manchester United and Arsenal out of the mix.”
Arsenal were also recently linked with a move for De Jong as Mikel Arteta seeks another midfielder. They are inching closer to announcing Declan Rice as a new signing. But a new player must arrive if Thomas Partey also departs alongside Granit Xhaka.
Romeo Lavia remains a key target, and Arteta might end up entertaining a bid for the Belgian rather than the expensive Dutchman. Hence, any move from the Gunners seems improbable for the 26-year-old. Had they planned to spend heavily on another player, it might happen with Moises Caicedo. The club have maintained an interest in the Brighton star.