Manchester United are confident they will sign their prime target for the season, Dutch Frankie De Jong from Barcelona before the summer window closes.
United are in dire need to rebuild their midfield with Paul Pogba already close to joining Juventus with other clubs like neighbouring Manchester City still in the race to sign the French midfielder, Barcelona’s De Jong has been spotted as a replacement.
The €80m valued midfielder according to reports, his close associates disclosed that the Netherlands international will leave Camp Nou for a club which is qualified to play UEFA Champions League football.
Other reports have stated that De Jong whose contract runs in Barcelona until 2026, is not keen on leaving the Catalans, adding that during the UEFA Nations League, he has adjudged Xavi Hernandez’s side as the best club in the world, The Trumpet gathered.
Although, the 25-years-old Dutch midfielder may be unwilling to leave Camp Nou, Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold is unperturbed about the body language of the player and has assured United fans that all pieces of machinery have been set in place to ensure the deal sails through.
Recently in a leaked videotape as reported by the Spanish media MundoDeportivo, Arnold boasted that the resources to expedite the deal were handy but certain unexplainable factors are hindering it from fruition.
“We are doing everything we can to bring in De Jong and I tell you that the money is there for him,” Arnold assured.
“As a club, we are doing everything possible to close the deal, the money is there but there are obstacles in our way that I cannot explain,” he revealed.
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However, Barcelona may be indifferent to player’s wishes as they are interested to do business with any club for the right price.
The Spanish club, already in the transfer market to get in some newbies including Bayern Munich Robert Lewandowski to Camp Nou, is ready to part ways with the De Jong to fund their targets for the season.
Catalans under ‘fair play’ want to reduce their wage bill before daring the summer trader deals and De Jong, who is not valued as a prized asset to the club and reportedly would receive circa €19m this season will be released to give Barca a healthy financial statement.
MundaDeportivo corroborating the above statement, reportedly added that “Eduard Romeu, economic vice president, insisted that they have not budgeted any income from transfers for this year, but no one escapes the fact that entering a minimum of 80 million for Frenkie de Jong, 25, would considerably help the financial ‘fair play’ of the club.”
“In addition, it would also reduce the wage bill since it is estimated that the Dutch midfielder should earn around 19 million gross next season.
“In short, a departure from De Jong, whose contract with Barça ends in 2026, would be a breath of fresh air for the economy and to be able to face other signings, like Lewandowski, Koundé or Bernardo Silva, the player that Xavi has requested for if there is no other choice but to sell Frenkie,” it read.
The Dutch midfielder is presently in the United States on holidays before the season starts, while United waiting to undo the hitches militating against the deal to snap the player to Old Trafford.
