An insight into the current distance between Manchester United and Barcelona in negotiations over Frenkie de Jong has been provided on Friday.
Recent weeks have of course seen reports linking Dutch international de Jong with an Old Trafford switch move up a notch.
With the former Ajax standout widely understood to have been identified as the no.1 target to reinforce United’s ranks in the middle of the park ahead of next season, talks were officially kicked into gear between the Premier League giants and Barcelona over a potential deal this day last week.
Manchester United have formally opened talks to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong | @JBurtTelegraph #mufc https://t.co/RwV6VG91Lg
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 10, 2022
Such negotiations came amid the widespread understanding that de Jong had given his blessing to a move to Manchester, where he would of course link up with the man who oversaw the finest form of his career to date – Erik ten Hag.
And yet, to this point, little has since been reported when it comes to steps forward in United’s FdJ pursuit.
A fresh insight into the situation, in turn, has been provided on Friday evening.
The info comes courtesy of the reliable James Ducker of The Daily Telegraph, who has confirmed that the holdup in negotiations between the respective boards at Old Trafford and the Camp Nou comes owing to a considerable difference in valuation.
To this point, United are understood to have offered up around €65 million in their bid to bring de Jong to the club. Barca, though, are holding out for a fee closer to 85 million.
Significantly, though, it is also suggested that the Red Devils are the only club expressing a legitimate interest in signing the Dutchman this summer, strengthening the hand of the English outfit.
In addition, despite confirmation of a €600 million monetary boost late in the Catalan capital on Thursday night, it is also suggested that the Blaugrana remain in financial peril, and are therefore likely to sanction de Jong’s exit in the case of an offer arriving in the ballpark of the club’s hefty valuation.
? #MUFC & #FCB remain about €20m apart in their valuations of Frenkie de Jong
? United only club seriously in for him
? Barca need to raise funds & ease wage bill
? Eriksen interest not tied to De Jong. United could sign Eriksen even if they get FdJ https://t.co/NxvVgcceiT— James Ducker (@TelegraphDucker) June 17, 2022
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