Barcelona 'willing' to sell De Jong in cut-price transfer despite Xavi comments

Manchester United could recruit Frenkie De Jong for as little as £51m with Barcelona willing to sell up, as per reports.

The Dutchman is into his third season with the Catalans but is the subject of interest from the Red Devils, who are aiming to bolster their midfield options. Barcelona signed De Jong from Ajax in 2019 for £65m but are now ready to accept a loss on the Dutchman such is their financial situation.

Goal understands that the LaLiga giants will accept a bid of just over £50m for the player as they remain open to offers for several of their players. Xavi is leading a Nou Camp overhaul with the club attempting to become competitive once more whilst balancing their books following a difficult period financially.

United are awaiting the arrival of Erik ten Hag, who managed a young De Jong at Ajax as he became a leading light for the Dutch giants. The midfielder played a crucial role as the club reached the last four of the Champions League in 2019 and could assist in United's rebuild.

The Red Devils are set to lose Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic on frees once their contracts expire and need to bolster their options in the middle of the park. Despite Barcelona's willingness to sell Xavi has previously talked up De Jong's importance and his want to keep the player.

"For me, Frenkie is a great player," Xavi said back in February. "I think he's taken a step forward since we arrived. He's a different player, more dynamic. He's a player to be at Barca for many years."

Erik ten Hag is eyeing a reunion with his former midfielder

He went on to add: "[De Jong] is happy here. There are a lot of games, and we'll have to rotate in midfield as it's very demanding physically but he's important. He's playing at a very good level. He's very demanding on himself. He's a great professional and he'll keep improving."

De Jong himself has confessed this season that his two years at the Nou Camp had not gone as planned with the club in a transitional phase. However he underlined his desire to remain in Spain. "I would have liked to win more trophies than we did in my first two years," he told the Guardian. "I expected more in that sense, let's put it that way but other than that, I'm very happy here and hopefully for many more years."

However it is being reported by Mundo Deportivo that Manchester City could look to steal a march on their local rivals. City will have the lure of Champions League football whilst United are going to have to make do with the Europa League at best.