Manchester United remain in talks with Barcelona over the transfer of Frenkie de Jong, though are letting it be known that they won’t be held to ransom.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for De Jong ever since Erik ten Hag was confirmed as the club’s next permanent manager last month.
United have confirmed the departures of a number of midfielders this month, leaving Ten Hag with only Scott McTominay, Fred and the returning Donny van de Beek as his midfield options ahead of pre-season preparations.
De Jong has admitted that his initial preference would be to remain at the Nou Camp, though Barcelona are in desperate need of raising funds to finance their own rebuild, with the Dutchman being one of their more saleable assets.
The move has seemingly moved closer in recent days, with reports suggesting that De Jong has accepted that his future is away from the La Liga side, with Erik ten Hag promising him a pivotal role in the middle of the park for United, the pair having worked together during their respective times at Ajax.
However, it seems as though United have been briefing that they will not be held to ransom by Barcelona, and are be willing to walk away if the price is not right
Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth says that there is currently a ‘difference in valuation’ between the two sides, and that United are willing to ‘walk away if they can’t get a reasonable price’.
Manchester United remain in talks with Barcelona over Frenkie de Jong. Difference in valuation but player thought to be more open to move. United looking at other midfielders and will walk away if they can’t get reasonable price. #deJong #MUFC #FCB
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) June 10, 2022
Meanwhile, the BBC’s Simon Stone backs up the claims, saying United are ‘adamant that they will not overpay’.
As per others, @ManUtd have contacted Barca re De Jong. No bid – yet – and club adamant they will not overpay. But De Jong regarded as ideal for Erik Ten Hag's intended style of play. Midfield is top of the list for strengthening United's squad this summer.
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) June 10, 2022
It seems as though a deal is edging towards being done, but with neither side wanting to publicly be seen as giving too much away to the other.
While some fans will be impatient for a deal to be completed as quickly as possible with United due to start pre-season training on June 27th, though even if the Dutchman were to sign, he wouldn’t join up for some time afterwards given his involvement in the ongoing international fixtures with the Netherlands.
