Manchester United and Barcelona have agreed a fee for Frenkie de Jong, The Athletic report, with the final decision resting on the player.
Barcelona need the move to go through for financial reasons, while Manchester United are hoping to sign one of the world’s best midfielders. Providing De Jong is happy, it’s ‘win win’.
There are two more clubs banking on the move too. Dutch sides Willem II and RKC Waalwijk are each hoping De Jong’s transfer to Manchester United goes ahead.
De Jong spent time in the academies of both clubs before signing for Ajax, and they will receive FIFA solidarity payments, a cut of the transfer deal.
READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23
Dutch clubs hoping Manchester United’s De Jong move goes through
Willem II and RKC Waalwijk are set to share £1.1 million, split evenly, reports Voetbal International.
The same FIFA ruling saw Watford take a share of the money Manchester United paid to Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho, netting around £2 million, the Watford Observer reported.
Martin van Geel, Willem II technical director said: “Serious money. We keep a close eye on it in the media. If it comes to a transfer, that would be a fantastic thing for us and RKC.”
The payment is only in reference to the fixed sum of the transfer, meaning if Manchester United pay the agreed bonuses to Barcelona, Willem II and RKC Waalwijk share a cut too.
De Jong spent an early part of his youth career at RKC Waalwijk between 2005 and 2009. The team is former United goalkeeper Joel Pereira’s current club.
The midfielder subsequently spent time at Willem II, making his debut for the club in 2015, before being signed by Ajax.
Now the clubs just need De Jong’s transfer to go through. There have been a few twists and turns, and it’s good to know Manchester United aren’t the only ones likely exasperated with how this major transfer is progressing so agonisingly slowly.
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