Man Utd ‘informed’ of De Jong desire as Romano claims transfer is ‘now stalling’

Joe Williams
Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong takes his shirt off

Frenkie de Jong’s potential transfer from Barcelona to Man Utd is “now stalling”, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Netherlands international has been at the top of the Red Devils’ transfer list for the past couple of months as they make improving midfield their top priority this summer.

A report yesterday claimed that Barcelona and Man Utd have finally come to a €85m (£72m) agreement after initially being €40m apart in their valuations.

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It is understood that Man Utd wanted to pay €60m originally, while Barcelona were hoping to get €100m for the midfielder, but they have not struck a deal in the middle.

However, there are some huge hurdles to overcome with doubts that De Jong even wants to move to Man Utd this summer, while Barcelona still owe him around £17m from deferred wages and bonuses from the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Barcelona have reportedly told him that he must move to Man Utd unless he takes a substantial pay cut but Romano insists that De Jong is standing firm.

Romano tweeted: “Frenkie De Jong’s agents Ali Dursun and Hasan Cetinkaya have informed Barcelona that Frenkie has still no intention to leave – also that Frenkie and agents are not accepting any salary reduction, or talks related to that. Man United are also informed – deal now stalling.”

Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan has suggested that De Jong could be stalling a move to Man Utd in the hope that a better offer comes along.

Whelan told Football Insider: “Man United aren’t in the position they used to be 10 years ago in terms of transfers. That’s due to not being in the Champions League and not being the dominant force anymore.

“Yes, they’re a big club, but people aren’t jumping at the chance to sign for them – they’re waiting for a better option to come their way. It must be very strange for United to deal with – because they’ve always gotten who they wanted when they wanted. That’s no longer the case.

“That’s the problem. They have to wait now, and the player has to be satisfied that Man United are going to be challenging and winning at the top of the table. At the moment, there are no guarantees that they will be. How are they going to get past those five teams?

“It might be Europa League football again – and that is now just the reality for Man United.”

 

Manchester United Fabrizio Romano

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