United have begun talks with the Catalan giants to try to close a move for the 25-year-old this summer, but at the moment the two clubs are somewhat apart in their assessment of the Dutch midfielder. De Jong is Eric Ten Hague’s top target to try to improve United’s midfield and the couple worked together successfully in Ajax, before De Jong moved to the Nou Camp in the summer of 2019. READ MORE: Erik ten Hag had talks with Ryan Gravenberch about United transfer He considered it a “dream” move, but Barcelona’s terrible financial problems mean that he is now open to cash from De Jong and the player has accepted that he may need to leave the club this summer. United can not offer Champions League football, but De Jong is still open to the idea of ​​moving to Old Trafford and reuniting with Ten Haag, who has made strengthening the midfield his first priority since being introduced. new coach last month. Football director John Murtough is in talks with his Barcelona counterparts, but United sources are adamant they will not pay too much for De Jong, who is currently in international action with the Netherlands in their Nations League games. If they continue to be disappointed by Barcelona’s valuation of De Jong, which according to sources in Spain could reach 100 million euros, then United is willing to move on to other goals and it is understandable that it has talked to the representatives of possible alternatives. . United have shown interest in Leeds midfielder Calvin Phillips, but their survival in the Premier League on the final day could have made it a more difficult deal. Phillips is also wanted by Manchester City and the transfer to the Etihad may be the preferred option for a player who comes from a family of Leeds fans and will know the prospect of transferring to Old Trafford. Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberger has also claimed that Ten Hague spoke to him to follow him to Old Trafford this summer, but the 20-year-old is set to move to Bayern Munich. Subscribe to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
Read more related articles Read more related articles