Manchester United have reportedly had a €65 million bid rejected for FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
United have had major issues in their midfield all season as Manuel Ugarte has been the only consistent player to adapt to Ruben Amorim’s new 3-4-3 formation.
Bruno Fernandes has also continued his fine form but many are unsure whether his future will really lie in a midfield two.
Last year’s breakout star Kobbie Mainoo has been injured for a lot of the season and he has also been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford as he struggles to agree a new deal with the club.
Therefore, it is likely that United will try to sign a midfielder this summer and Spanish outlet Fichajes have stated that the club have already tried to bring in an old favourite.
The Red Devils have been linked to Frenkie de Jong since Erik ten Hag’s first summer in charge in 2022 but the rumours keep swirling over the Dutchman.
It has been reported that United have “put an offer of €65 million on the table with the intention of securing the midfielder’s services in the upcoming transfer window.”
“Despite the significant sum offered, the Blaugrana have rejected the proposal.”
The club’s board believes feel the player is “fundamental” to the sporting project moving forward and consequently, their priority is to extend his contract beyond 2026 when it is scheduled to run out.
United have tried many times in the past to sign the midfielder and according to the outlet, “they are back on the attack, hoping that Barcelona’s delicate financial situation will facilitate a deal.”
Fichajes admit that any deal would certainly depend on how new contract negotiations go as Barcelona are in no financial position to lose the player on a free next summer, so a decision will need to be made one way or another this year.
Whilst it’s important to relay what the Spanish press are saying and whilst it’s true that the midfield man was very much a target in the past, it does not seem very plausible that Ineos would be making that kind of offer now. They have prioritised younger players who are not on high-end salaries and De Jong at 27 years old and on a reported weekly wage of € 484,615 would seem a strange departure from this philosophy.
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
