Manchester United have reportedly opened talks with Barcelona over a potential deal for Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutchman has emerged as a top transfer target for the Red Devils following their appointment of Erik ten Hag as manager, the pair having enjoyed a hugely successful two-year spell working together at Ajax, famously reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League back in 2018/19.
His form for the Eredivisie giants earned him a big-money move to the Nou Camp, where he has since gone on to make 139 appearances for the Blaugrana, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists.
Barca boss Xavi has insisted he would like to keep De Jong at the club as he looks to continue his side’s rebuild, but the fact of the matter is that the 25-year-old remains one of the club’s more saleable assets.
De Jong has insisted he would like to stay at Barcelona, while he is also believed to be keen playing Champions League football, something that Manchester United are unable to offer on the back of their woeful season that saw them finish sixth.
However, that has seemingly not discouraged United from pursuing their interest, with the Guardian reporting that they have opened official talks with the Catalan club in the hope of striking a deal.
It is said, however, that Barcelona value the midfielder at €85 million (£72.4m), a figure that would eat up the vast majority of United’s transfer budget that has to stretch to bolstering a number of positions.
Barcelona are known to be in need of making sales to balance the books this summer, though it remains to be seen whether United would be willing to splash so much on one player given their own financial restrictions.
United – who have already confirmed the exits of Nemanja Matic, Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard – are thought to be keen on signing a defender or two, a striker and a defensive midfielder.
