Manchester United hope to finalise the club’s first transfer move of the summer by the end of this week, The Telegraph report.
A breakthrough in talks has seen United and Barcelona reach a compromise of £69 million, allowing the La Liga side to make a £4 million profit on the fee they paid Ajax in 2019.
Barcelona have their own financial reasons for wanting to get a deal completed by June 30, for their own accounting purposes.
Manchester United need the De Jong transfer to kick off the club’s summer spending, which has so far not started, much to the frustration of supporters.
United hope to finalise move
Talks are progressing well, despite Barcelona originally holding out for £73 million. United’s opening bid of £56 million was rejected, The Telegraph claim.
The report says personal terms have not yet been discussed although they are not expected to be a problem.
De Jong is on holiday in the USA and was only due to report to Barcelona a few days into July. United could tie up a deal in time for him to head out on pre-season tour.
United boss Erik ten Hag managed De Jong at Ajax and he is integral to a move for the 25-year-old.
The Netherlands international would be the first step in revamping the club’s midfield, with United also hoping to land Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
United are also looking to make additions in defence and attack, and once the De Jong move is finalised, the rest of the club’s budget will become clearer.
- FRENKIE DE JONG: Factfile
- De Jong made his Ajax debut in 2018 and by 2019 he was playing in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
- He played 59 games under manager Erik ten Hag, losing only six times.
- Barcelona paid £65 million to sign him, he is their sixth most expensive signing.
- He has played 139 times for Barcelona, scoring 13 times, including in the final as they won the 20/21 Copa del Rey.
- At the age of 25 he already has more than 40 international caps with the Netherlands and is looking ahead to his first World Cup.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
