EDITOR’S PICK
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Manchester United have officially agreed on a deal to sign Dutch superstar Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, though the player is yet to agree on personal terms.
According to Italian journalist and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, United will pay £63million up front, with the fee potentially rising to £70million with add-ons – which would see the Catalan club recoup the money they paid for the midfielder three years ago.
It’s understood that De Jong would prefer to remain at the Nou Camp this summer, but could be forced into quitting the club after being asked to ‘take a pay cut or leave’.
The 25-year-old has been United manager Erik ten Hag’s number one transfer target since he took the job, and the Dutchman is keen to build his midfield around his former Ajax protégé.
De Jong could become the second man through the door at Old Trafford this summer, following the signing of former Feyenoord full-back Tyrell Malacia, while deals for free agent Christian Eriksen and Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez could also be wrapped up in the coming days.
Barcelona owe De Jong around £17million in unpaid wages, as a result of a wage deferral he agreed to during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, though it’s understood he’s unlikely to receive the money should he quit the club.
Barcelona boss Xavi has made it clear that he wants De Jong to stay, but the club’s delicate financial situation means they have to offload players, especially as they try to tie up big-money deals for Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski.
De Jong has struggled to hit the same heights at Barcelona as he did during his three-season coming-of-age at Ajax – where he was arguably the central cog in Ten Hag’s swashbuckling side that toppled Real Madrid and Juventus on their way to the Champions League semi-final in 2019.
FURTHER READING
Could a reunion with his former boss bring out the best in him again? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
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