Posted: 17:02, July 11, 2022 | Updated: 17:27, 11 July 2022
Manchester United captains Richard Arnold and John Murtaugh have arrived in Barcelona as the club look to step up their pursuit of Frankie de Jong.
United have spent much of the summer transfer window so far chasing a deal for the Netherlands international midfielder, but have yet to make any real progress in their pursuit.
Murtough and Arnold met with Barca sporting adviser Jordi Cruyff and director of football Mateu Alemany today at Triton Restaurante in the Catalan city in a bid to speed up what is fast becoming the biggest transfer saga of the summer.
Frenkie de Jong is owed £17m in deferred wages by Barcelona, which could delay a deal
The former Ajax player, who was part of Erik ten Hag’s Champions League semi-final side in 2019, is under contract with the Catalan giants until 2026, but his immediate future is still unclear.
De Jong himself is yet to make his thoughts on a move clear, although reports from Spain suggest he is comfortable with the Catalan side, which will certainly not please United fans.
In addition, Barca president Joan Laporta has publicly stated that the player will not be sold this summer, saying: “He is a Barca player. And if we don’t feel the need or the interest to sell him, we won’t.’
CEO Richard Arnold arrived in Barcelona for a meeting with Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff
United director of football John Murtaugh (right) joined Arnold at Triton Restaurante
“Frenkie de Jong is not for sale. We know he has deals. And if at a given moment we are interested in selling him then we would think about it.’
But the small matter of Barca’s well-documented financial problems could prove decisive in the matter, with De Jong representing a surefire way to raise some much-needed funds.
The two European powers have agreed a £55m fee for the 25-year-old, although the move may be delayed after it was revealed the player was owed around £17m in deferred wages.
Signing Frenkie de Jong is a priority for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag this summer.
In addition to this, Barca are also targeting their own signings such as Robert Lewandowski and Bernardo Silva, which will of course require them to raise significant fees somehow.
That way it would seem that Barca’s entire plan of attack this window could hinge on De Jong leaving, which would also relieve some of the pressure on their wages.
And with United confident of sealing the deal, manager Xavi reportedly wants the situation resolved before they fly to America on July 16 for a two-week pre-season tour, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Barca manager Xavi (left) wants De Jong’s future sorted before he heads to America for pre-season
The Spanish publication say Xavi will meet with Alemany and others – with the board waiting to see how important de Jong is to their midfield plans.
United’s decision to send senior officials to Catalonia may also come after reports that Chelsea were preparing to snap up De Jong this summer.
Todd Boehly himself has been pictured in town ahead of negotiations with Barca and United may be preparing to get a move for de Jong over the line before rivals Chelsea can throw another spanner in the works.
