According to sources, Manchester United have made progress in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong, with an initial fee being settled with Barcelona.
Manchester United’s new manager Erik ten Hag has named the midfielder as his main summer target, and United are ready to pay €65 million upfront for him. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the deal is not yet finalized and there are still “significant” obstacles to overcome.
However, the deal could rise above €80 million with performance-based add-ons, while the player’s personal terms are still to be agreed upon.
But there is now growing optimism at both Old Trafford and Camp Nou that a deal may be closed to make De Jong the first transfer under Ten Hag’s leadership at United.
The Dutch international is Erik ten Hag’s top transfer target and there is a chance he will be with the team on July 8, when the team departs for their tour of Thailand and Australia. The two clubs are reportedly getting closer to a deal, but they haven’t finalized the values yet, including the fixed charge and any add-ons.
Excl: Manchester United are trying to hijack Tyrell Malacia deal! After full verbal agreement with OL, Man Utd jumped into it before it was signed. 🚨🇳🇱 #MUFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 28, 2022
Talks with Feyenoord to reach an agreement, Dutch sources confirm.
Detail: Malacia has same agents as Frenkie de Jong.
The two teams have agreed that the whole sum won’t be as much as the €100 million they had previously requested when the first approach was made.
Some sources at Barcelona don’t believe that the transfer will be finished by June 30 (Thursday), when the club closes its books for the 2021–22 season. Barca hopes to raise the necessary funds through the sale of 10% of its LaLiga television rights this week to avoid finishing the year in the red.
However, Frenkie De Jong has stated both in public and in private that he would prefer to remain at Barca, as former coach Ronald Koeman affirmed on Monday. But Barcelona’s desire to transfer him may force the Netherlands midfielder to change his mind.
Note that Frenkie De Jong joined Barcelona on a €75 million-plus €11 million add-ons deal from Ajax in 2018.
Erik ten Hag has coached Frenkie de Jong during his time as Ajax manager so he knows the Dutchman well which is why he wants him in Manchester United. Barcelona are also ready to release De Jong this summer to overcome the financial issues at the club and also get funds to buy new players.
Manchester United will be set to sign a striker if the deal for Frenkie de Jong is finalized and Ajax winger Antony is among their priorities.
