Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Frenkie de Jong transfer latest: Man Utd make fresh approach and make intentions clear over final-day move

Frenkie de Jong Barcelona August 2022

Manchester United will reportedly leave the door ajar for Frenkie de Jong until the final day of the transfer window as Erik ten Hag hunts for the playmaker to make his Red Devils team tick.

United officials are understood to have made fresh contact with De Jong on Friday as they looked to conclude one of the transfer sagas of the summer. Ten Hag bolstered his midfield with the arrival of Brazilian Casemiro earlier this week but they are still hunting for a ball-player and De Jong is their top target.

The parties were back in touch on Friday with United maintaining to De Jong’s representatives that their interest remains. So much so that United have informed De Jong that they will wait until September 1 for the player.

Sport claim United have informed De Jong they are prepared to keep the door open for the player in case he has a change of heart. So much so that they are willing to rush through a deadline-day move. And the latest contact was well received by the midfielder. In fact he is said to be ‘grateful’ for United’s interest.

But the situation remains unchanged. De Jong is adamant he wants to stay at the Camp Nou and fight for his place under Xavi.

The 25-year-old was a sub against Rayo Vallecano. But he started in the 4-1 LaLiga win over Real Sociedad last weekend.

Barca’s stance remains that they are open to selling the Dutchman for a fee of around £67.8m (€80m). However, they are certainly not forcing the former Ajax man out of the door.

However, Barcelona are believed to be putting pressure on De Jong to reduce his existing contract. The central midfielder has until 2026 on a contract he extended in October 2020. He is reportedly owed €18m in unpaid wages from the 2020-21 and 2021-22 pandemic seasons.

But Barca want De Jong to reduce his existing salary to help them register some of their summer signings. They are also keen on luring Bernardo Silva to the Camp Nou.

De Jong contract under scrutiny

De Jong’s contract is being looked at by lawyers. His entourage are said to be ‘upset’ with the club after it was leaked that the legality of his contract had been questioned.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Barcelona has told de Jong, who scored this week in a 3-3 friendly with Man City, that the terms of his current contract may involve criminality.

Barcelona reportedly claimed in a letter to de Jong that it found evidence of criminal action. That criminality was on the part of the parties who concluded the deal. Which was in turn authorized by the club’s previous regime and Josep Bartomeu.

The potential departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could also impact discussions with De Jong. The striker is in talks with Chelsea and the removal of his salary will give Barca some much-needed wiggle room.

READ MORE: Harry Maguire latest: ‘Shattered’ star tipped to push for Chelsea move with player fearing worst over Man Utd future