The Dutch international, who arrived at Camp Nou from ACF Ajax for 75 million euros in 2019, has been the subject of transfer speculation given the Spanish club’s dire finances this season.
Spanish media outlet Sport had last week reported that the Premier League giants were close to closing on the deal for the midfielder for an estimated fee in the region of 80 million and that this deal would be closed in a matter of days.
And on June 3, the same daily had reported the LaLiga giants had accepted that offer “after a few weeks of many doubts”. And now, as per reports in the UK, the 25-year-old has allegedly admitted to join Erik ten Hag’s side in private.
The midfielder was earlier reported to be waiting for other offers from Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, given his interest to play in the UEFA Champions League, which United currently can’t offer. However, with no such interests for de Jong by any of the above mentioned clubs, de Jong is now said to be ready to switch to Old Trafford.
The Athletic, meanwhile, have reported that United are hesitant to pay 80 million euros for the player, considering the amount to be out of sync with the current transfer market.
At the same time, debt-ridden Barca, who are said to be in around 1.5 billion dollars, are said to be adamant that the midfielder will only leave the first team for the quoted amount and will not accept anything less for the “top-level” player.
United have said to have offered the Catalans 60 million euros plus add-ons, but the Xavi Hernandez-led side want the full 80 million so that they have more money to try and accommodate other players into their first-team squad.
The Dutch midfielder has played 47 games across all competitions for the Catalan side this season, even finding the net on four occasions.
