Manchester United are ready to wait until the final day of the summer transfer window to sign Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.
The Dutch star is new United manager Erik ten Hag's top target as he looks to overhaul his squad after a hugely disappointing season but is publicly reluctant to move to Old Trafford.
And as reported by the Sun, Ten Hag, 52, is not giving up and is willing to hold out until the last second to sign gifted central midfielder De Jong, who was his 'favourite player' while managing at former club Ajax.
De Jong is embroiled in a contract stand-off with the cash-strapped Spanish giants, who owe him more than £17million in deferred wages, delaying the potential transfer to United.
He has openly stated he wants to stay at the Nou Camp, and has flown to Miami to participate in Barca's pre-season tour of the US - but the Sun state sources close to the player have said he is in regular contact with Ten Hag and is happy to join United.
De Jong's infamously bullish agent Ali Dursan is thought to believe that his client publicly revealing his wish to sign for the Red Devils would weaken their negotiating position as they look to reclaim the money owed to them by the club.
So United have continued their pursuit. Club chiefs Richard Arnold and John Murtough have been in Spain to thrash out a deal with Barca sporting director Jordi Cruyff, director of football Mateu Alemany and sports vice-president Rafa Yuste.
The two sides have agreed a fee of £63m up front, potentially rising to £71m with add-ons, with Xavi's team desperate to recoup the money and get the Dutchman's £320,000-a-week wages off their books to abide with Financial Fair Play rules.
Barcelona have already presented four new players this summer, including the signing of Brazilian Raphinha from Leeds, agreeing the £42.5m arrival of Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich on Saturday.
But to register the new acquisitions with LaLiga they must slash their €560m (£477m) wage bill. De Jong's contract entitles him to €20m (£17m) next season and the club need him to move on.
Although Ten Hag does not want signing the 25-year-old to turn into a summer-long saga, he understands the wages issue is outside their control and has told the club to continue pushing for the move.
Temabiklns
0
look for other alternative players please, leave de jong story
Simon360
1
De Jong this, De jong that. Let's take a second to appreciate someone who's actually fought to play for us👏
Vicsammy
0
But why must it be de jong…. The fans won’t understand his true intentions or maybe he has any good conversation with the coach… you can just let him be and go for another player pls
penalob
0
This is really insane now, maybe they don't want to sign any central midfielder again. Goodluck to Ten hag
chrismeek001
0
Is like ten hag don’t understand English anymore, this de jong has said many times he wants to stay in Barcelona
He knows what’s De jong want and he know that he will be Manchester player soon that is why His assured of it
repbdopz
0
Is like ten hag don’t understand English anymore, this de jong has said many times he wants to stay in Barcelona
Oiram1979
0
Man U stuck in the friend zone hoping one day the girl will see him as a good option for a relationship. 😆 🤣 😂
Prince_x
0
If players don’t want to come to Old Trafford , no point waiting for them. Look for alternative
Bro go and read the situation well before you start saying rubbish, did you hear he rejected Man U and besides Man U haven’t made him any contract proposal because they know what is going on
UnitedAkonam
2
It is good to face the fact as stated in the article. He wants to collect his money from Barca. ETH must have spoken to De Jong and he agreed to come. So people should stop writing nonsense that the player hates Man U, or he wants to play champion league football and all that. Tell Barca to pay him his 17 million pounds, and the young man will be happy. He worked for it. I am not expecting De Jong to leave Barcelona without collecting his wages
GunneR404
1
what happens den if we fail?
Pass2Pogba
1
I personally think players from Holland can’t make it in EPL. Maybe in Spain and German. Just look at the last few which M.U signed.
check R.V.P is he not from Holland? Arjen Robben. Van Der Vart. Van Nistelrooy. Van Dijk. Van Der Sar. BergKamp. Jaap Stam. Kuyt. lots of studying to do before you posy nonsense. 🤌
VinCristine
1
ETH is being delusional...wake up Ten!
Pass2Pogba
0
If players don’t want to come to Old Trafford , no point waiting for them. Look for alternative
you talking crap again without knowing fact. he doesnt want to leave without collecting his remaining wage owed by yhe club . i mean who would leave the company with money owed ?
Pass2Pogba
0
I personally think players from Holland can’t make it in EPL. Maybe in Spain and German. Just look at the last few which M.U signed.
man you are new to football? dont know all the top players from Holland played in England. at least do a research if you are new to football. makong yourself like a fool.
Fokbeklps
1
I personally think players from Holland can’t make it in EPL. Maybe in Spain and German. Just look at the last few which M.U signed.
Fokbeklps
2
If players don’t want to come to Old Trafford , no point waiting for them. Look for alternative
Pucdmnpst
2
the manager's choice...respect for that
Davidchris1999
0
Why would you force q player to join you?? if he doesn't want to go, he better remains where his heart is. We are United after all.
And they don't also need him there.
Covenant0001
0
De jong want to leave FC Barca but he doesn't want to come to Man u without collecting all the leftover wages owing him... that's why he's feeling reluctant.
Vcentkawunde91
2
Why would you force q player to join you?? if he doesn't want to go, he better remains where his heart is. We are United after all.
fizzbizzie
3
We have eriksen... Get a quality cdm.. We don't need a player that doesn't want to play for the club... It's the mistake we made in the past.. Get only players that want to play for man utd
soldierzway
2
😂😂 Is he the only midfielder? Neves could do a better job in my opinion
rezruz
1
Just bluf by Laporta, last year he let Messi and Griezmann go on last day of the window, blaming la Liga in stead of being honest. Without selling Frenkie this years plan collapses. Frenkie will not lower his wages again, because he knows Laporta won’t keep his promise on contracts…
ned555
0
if de jong come to Manchester united he will play regularly and will be heard ourloud
Wilsonzubby
1
united will sign de jong but that will be next month cause Barcelona are owing him and want to sell him without paying him so Martinez will be playing as DM united will sign de jong next month smart play by ten hang and de jong the boy want to play for ten and he want to build the team with the boy and bruno and Barcelona must sell him to balance their book if not financial issue
smart move, investor vibes in them
Wilsonzubby
0
he must go because we need to bring bernado silver
stop dreaming, he's not for sale.
Murg
1
omg, what? Frenkie, he said, his heart at barca, let him,.don't force him
SserunjojiJohnjovan
3
That day Dejong to England 😂
tieiopruy
5
Use the money 💰 for Antony
Seoackotyz
1
Anthony please
caesarbruno18
3
Frenkie's first day at carrington
Nazdilmpr
1
I think he's no longer needed since martinez is on his way
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united will sign de jong but that will be next month cause Barcelona are owing him and want to sell him without paying him so Martinez will be playing as DM united will sign de jong next month smart play by ten hang and de jong the boy want to play for ten and he want to build the team with the boy and bruno and Barcelona must sell him to balance their book if not financial issue
27_Saulawa
0
is kounde midfielder where did u used watch your game
😂😂
davidsondavid
1
Why Erik couldn't go for Singare instead of this boy [Hitface][Hitface][Hitface][Crylaugh]
ABDULWARIS
0
DE Jong is a good player and we would love to see him part of the season project but it seems our financial situation is still hard.
gm11
0
KOUNDE is the best midfielder UNITED must go and live the DE JONG saga
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Kounde is playing champions league he won't join a team in Europa league it's why we are targeting ajax and players he's managed cause its all we are going to get😂 we don't have champions league remember that it's why we don't go for big names.
Vezonic22
0
Erik's desperation to get De Jong is something to really look at. He must really believe in De Jong to want him that bad at Manchester United.
Wuzcekmu
0
KOUNDE is the best midfielder UNITED must go and live the DE JONG saga
[image]
is kounde midfielder where did u used watch your game
Nazdilmpr
0
KOUNDE is the best midfielder UNITED must go and live the DE JONG saga
[image]
kounde is a CB not DM we need de jong
ogggg
0
de jong when received calls from Manchester agents😆
epjo
4
DE JONG when he sees MANCHESTER UNITED recruitment BOARD be like
epjo
2
KOUNDE is the best midfielder UNITED must go and live the DE JONG saga
Dalhatu89
1
I know De jong we play for man united, good things don’t come easily , he is a good player and our patience we pay off
Eltonmentor
0
let he untill de Jong is 34 years old he signed him
Hewaeiopsy
0
I think he's no longer needed since martinez is on his way
[image]
he must go because we need to bring bernado silver
Wilsonzubby
2
I think he's no longer needed since martinez is on his way
OdunAyoMi001
0
when is the deadline day?
September 1
Zuhdeimsz
0
when is the deadline day?