Barcelona set asking price for Man Utd to sign Frenkie de Jong after deciding to sell

Manchester United’s hopes of signing Frenkie de Jong have been boosted after Barcelona decided to sell the Dutchman – provided they receive a bid in the region of £58.5million.

The Catalans signed the Netherlands international for around £64m in 2019 following his sensational performances for Ajax in a campaign where the Dutch giants came agonisingly close to the Champions League final.

De Jong thrived in Amsterdam under Erik ten Hag, who has just signed a three-year deal to take charge at Old Trafford.

However, though De Jong’s time at Barcelona could hardly be described as a failure, he’s failed to replicate his performances at the Camp Nou.

Xavi is an admirer of the midfielder but the cash-strapped Spaniards must balance the books and AS claim they’ve put De Jong up for sale.

The Catalans have agreed a deal for Valencia ace Carlos Soler, with Barcelona set to pay around £16m for the Spaniard.

Ten Hag has identified United’s midfield as an area of urgent investment and De Jong would love to work with his former manager again, though his preference remains to succeed in Spain.

In order for Barcelona to complete a deal for Soler, they must let De Jong go first and if United put up the cash they could secure their man early in the window.

Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba are both set to leave the club this summer, leaving United light in midfield.

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