Manchester United are unwilling to meet Barcelona’s valuation of Frenkie de Jong with a compromise between the teams described as ‘some way off’.
De Jong has emerged as a transfer target for the Red Devils following the appointment of Erik ten Hag, with the incoming boss keen to work with the midfielder again after a successful period together at Ajax.
The 25-year-old starred as Ajax won a domestic double and reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19 and Ten Hag is keen to add De Jong to his midfield options ahead of the new season.
Barcelona are willing to sell the Netherlands international in a bid to raise transfer funds, but are keen to recoup the £65m fee the club paid for the midfielder in 2019.
The Mail are reporting that United are unwilling to match that figure and a compromise between the clubs is ‘some way off’.
De Jong himself is thought to be keen to remain at Barcelona, though Ten Hag is reported to be trying to convince him of a move to Manchester.
Ten Hag is facing a major rebuilding job at Old Trafford with mass changes expected this summer. A number of senior names – including Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Nemnaja Matic – will leave on free transfers and the Red Devils’ recruiters are targeting additions in several areas.
A centre-forward is on the club’s wish-list with Benfica’s Darwin Nunez a rumoured target, whilst the signing of a centre-back and at least one new central midfielder are also priorities for Ten Hag.
