Man Utd ‘set price’ for Frenkie de Jong transfer as Erik ten Hag puts pressure on board

De Jong quizzed on Man Utd transfer links

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Manchester United are trying to sign Frenkie de Jong for a fee of £60million, according to reports. Erik ten Hag is eager to land the Barcelona star in this summer’s transfer window, making his former Ajax midfielder a priority target. And he’s apparently putting pressure on the club’s board behind the scenes as they look to bring the Netherlands international to Old Trafford.

It’s common knowledge United want to sign De Jong, particularly following the departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba.

But a deal for the Barcelona star is yet to be concluded, with the La Liga giants determined to get as much money as possible for the Netherlands international.

According to Sport, United are willing to pay £60m up front for De Jong – as well as a further £8m in add-ons.

But Barcelona aren’t playing ball and would prefer £70m up front, with easily achievable bonuses included.

At the current moment in time, United remain in talks with their La Liga counterparts hoping an arrangement can be struck.

And Ten Hag is said to be putting pressure on the club’s board behind the scenes in the hope it will get them to up the ante.

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Ideally, the United boss would have De Jong on board for the start of the club’s pre-season tour.

They’re due to jet off on July 12, with the Red Devils primed to face Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid.

They’ll be touring Thailand, Australia and Norway as they step up their preparations ahead of the new season.

Yet with Barcelona digging their heels in, United still have some work to do if they’re to lure De Jong to the Premier League.

However, they’re not giving up on De Jong just yet – even though they have alternative targets in mind behind the scenes.

Ten Hag wants to United to ‘make an effort’ to give him the statement signing he craves.

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And De Jong is described as the ‘absolute priority’ for the Red Devils as they look to bounce back from a terrible season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

If United do sign De Jong, he’ll become the club’s sixth signing from La Liga since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement nine years ago.

Under Louis van Gaal, Ander Herrera, Angel Di Maria and Victor Valdes all joined the Red Devils.

With Jose Mourinho in charge, Eric Bailly came in from Villarreal.

And Solskjaer was able to raid Real Madrid for Raphael Varane 12 months ago, with the France international then having a quiet first season in English football.

De Jong isn’t the only player United have on their radar.

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Ajax duo Jurrien Timber and Antony are of interest, though the Amsterdam outfit won’t allow the duo to leave on the cheap.

United have tracked Ruben Neves, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips for some time, now.

And they could sign a new goalkeeper with Dean Henderson looking increasingly likely to leave for a new challenge elsewhere.

Speaking earlier in the year, meanwhile, Liverpool icon John Barnes insisted De Jong would be the perfect replacement for Pogba.

“Frenkie de Jong would be a brilliant signing for Manchester United,” Barnes told BonusCodeBets.

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“It looks like Paul Pogba is on his way out of the club so bringing in a replacement for him is very important.

“Especially if that person is a young and talented player who will get the opportunity to be one of the main players at the club.

“He has everything in terms of passing range, intensity and a great attitude. It’s exactly what Manchester United need in midfield.

“That was their plan with Donny van de Beek, but of course he’s been stifled by other players in his position playing better than him.

“However, bringing De Jong in and putting him straight into the side and being trusted would be good for both Manchester United and him.”

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