Barcelona could reportedly consider selling Frenkie de Jong in the summer if Manchester United came up with an offer of €70 million.
According to El Chiringuito TV, Manchester United are interested in signing Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong in the summer transfer window, with Barcelona set to demand a sum of €70 million for their prized asset.
Frenkie de Jong signed for Barcelona from Dutch champions AFC Ajax in the summer of 2019. The Catalans shelled out a massive transfer fee of €86 million to lure him to Camp Nou amid interest from several other clubs after the midfielder had enjoyed a spectacular 2018/19 campaign.
De Jong has been unable to hit the heights expected of him at Camp Nou. But, the 24-year-old has still grown into a vital player for Barcelona and is a mainstay in the centre of the park, racking up 136 appearances in which he has scored 13 goals and set up 17 more.
There had been speculations around his future earlier in the season when Ronald Koeman was sacked and replaced by Xavi Hernandez. But, the Dutchman has done well to put behind a poor run of form and grow into a key component of the current setup. However, de Jong’s name is being dragged into the rumour mill again, with Manchester United showing an interest in the midfielder.
?"El MANCHESTER UNITED quiere a FRENKIE De Jong"?
??"En el BARÇA estarían ENCANTADOS de venderlo por 70 MILLONES".
??EXCLUSIVA de @10JoseAlvarez en #ChiringuitoBarcelona. pic.twitter.com/aDmtGr83Z2
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) April 24, 2022
Manchester United confirmed the appointment of Erik ten Hag as their manager, with the 52-year-old set to take over at the end of the season. The Dutchman will be given a free rein when it comes to transfers in the summer. And he has set his sights on a reunion with de Jong, having worked with the Barcelona star at Ajax in the past.
Manchester United will lose Paul Pogba at the end of the season as his contract is set to expire. Donny van de Beek is likely to be handed an opportunity once he returns from his loan spell. But the Red Devils still need to add more quality to their midfield department, making de Jong a viable target ahead of the summer.
Reports had indicated that Barcelona would not be willing to part ways with their prized asset, with manager Xavi also insisting the same in a recent press conference. However, as per El Chiringuito, the Blaugrana could be convinced to part ways with de Jong in the summer if an offer of €70 million was presented.
Considering that Barça are in financial problems, cashing in on one of their most sellable assets could be a solution. However, considering that de Jong still has four years left on his contract and given his age and quality, they are likely to demand a higher fee in the scenario that they do contemplate a sale.
