Manchester United are reportedly set to submit an improved bid for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong after their initial offer was rejected.
De Jong joined the Blaugrana from Ajax for around £65million three years ago.
Now Chelsea are making ‘last-ditch phone calls’ just 70 days before window closes
While he is not regarded as a flop, the Dutch playmaker has not exactly set the world alight during his time at the Nou Camp. As a result, the La Liga giants are open to letting him leave for a hefty fee this summer.
Barcelona are in dire need of raising funds and reducing their wage bill amidst their difficult financial situation, and they see De Jong as the perfect outgoing transfer to help them sign targets of their own in the transfer window.
Manchester United are extremely keen given the appointment of Erik ten Hag, who managed De Jong during their time together at Ajax.
They have already made a bid for the 25-year-old and after it was turned down by Barca, they are now preparing to submit an improved offer ‘imminently’, according to the Manchester Evening News.
.@Alfremartinezz: “If Tchouameni is worth up to €100m between fixed fees and variables, what is Frenkie de Jong’s market value?” pic.twitter.com/PEtl0KzmJO
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) June 23, 2022
Xavi’s side are looking to receive at least £65m for the player to ensure they don’t make a loss, however, United’s opening offer was believed to be £51.64m including add-ons.
Barca have ‘privately conceded’ that they will be unable to receive €100m for De Jong, despite reports in Spain suggesting so.
They are instead hoping for, as aforementioned, around £65m with add-ons.
The Red Devils are ‘negotiating hard’ for a fair deal and are wary of paying over the odds as they have targets elsewhere, including Christian Eriksen and Antony.
Elsewhere, another United target, Christopher Nkunku, has put pen to paper on a new four-year contract with RB Leipzig.
Nkunku scored 35 and assisted 19 in 50 matches across all competitions for the German side last season.
A €60m release clause has been included in his fresh deal. However, clubs will not be able to trigger that clause until next summer when it becomes active.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Nkunku said: “I’m pleased to continue wearing the RB Leipzig shirt. After our great achievement in winning the DFB-Pokal, it remained clear that my story here isn’t over yet – we want more!”
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