Spanish newspaper Marca report Manchester United have made a first offer for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
United’s first offer is 60m plus 20m Euros, which equates to £51 million plus £17 million in add-ons.
A deal with add-ons is typical to the way United operate, similar to the way United signed Bruno Fernandes.
This adds up to £68 million, which is close to the £72 million The Guardian reported Barcelona wanted.
‘Barcelona seriously considering offer’
De Jong is Manchester United’s top midfield target, although convincing Barcelona to do a deal is just one part of the battle.
United must persuade Frenkie de Jong to sign, who has consistently says his preference is to stay at Barcelona.
However, Marca report De Jong is ‘becoming increasingly clear that his future is far from the Camp Nou’.
United have an advantage above other clubs to sign the midfielder due to his relationship with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
A deal totalling £68 million would see Barcelona recoup the fee they spent on the midfielder in 2019.
Barcelona are seriously considering Manchester United’s offer, because as much as they like De Jong, the deal would ‘considerably reduce the losses that have been generated this season’.
De Jong said last week he liked Netherlands’ style of play more than Barcelona’s, comments which did not go down too well at the La Liga club.
The midfielder would be Manchester United’s first signing of the summer if the club can get it over the line.
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