Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Frenkie de Jong latest: Joan Laporta confirms Barcelona deadline in fresh twist to Man Utd hopes

Frenkie de Jong of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey Final match between Athletic Club and FC Barcelona

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed a deadline to register his club’s new signings, which could affect the future of Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong.

The Red Devils have been chasing Netherlands midfielder De Jong for a number of weeks now. New Old Trafford boss Erik ten Hag wants to reunite with the player who starred in his Ajax team. However, a deal is proving complicated.

United have reportedly agreed an initial £63million deal for De Jong. But the 25-year-old’s deferred wages have become the deal’s key barrier.

What’s more, De Jong wants to stay at Camp Nou instead of moving to Man Utd. He could therefore accept a pay cut.

But there is an agenda working above him, with Barcelona viewing De Jong as their most saleable asset. And they need a big sale in order to ease their financial concerns and – just as importantly – register their new signings.

Barca chief Laporta has now revealed that his club have until August 13 to sort their finances out and officially welcome their new cohort.

Laporta said: “We are doing everything possible to register the signings. We have to do it before August 13.”

Laporta added that he feels “optimistic” of sorting the club’s finances out.

He said: “Let’s hop that the league sees it that way too.”

Barcelona have spent big this summer to sign Raphinha from Leeds United and Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich.

But they have also added Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen, who were free agents after leaving AC Milan and Chelsea, respectively.

While Barca have signed off parts of the club on 25-year deals – such as 25 per cent of their La Liga TV rights – they still need to sort out their situation to meet La Liga’s financial standards.

De Jong could be moving Man Utd

Laporta has reiterated that he will try and do everything possible to keep De Jong at Barcelona. As it stands, though, it looks likely that Man Utd will finally get their man.

There is clearly a willingness from the top of the club to move him on and ease their concerns, moving into a new chapter of the club with their recent signings.

De Jong may want to stay as he likes the lifestyle in Barcelona, but he may not get his wish.

Could a potential Frenkie De Jong transfer hold the key to Manchester United's centre-back partnership this season?

Could a potential Frenkie De Jong transfer hold the key to Manchester United's centre-back partnership this season?

Would missing out on the signing of Frenkie de Jong for Manchester United mean a different centre-back partnership will be formed than the one Erik ten Hag wants judging from pre-season?

United clearly feel there is a deal to be done for De Jong, otherwise they would have walked away.

Should United get their man, he would be an exciting addition to Old Trafford and the Premier League.