Louis van Gaal tells Manchester United how much Frenkie de Jong is worth

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong is worth north of €100million (£85.6m).

Van Gaal made the claim after the Barcelona ace stepped off the bench to help the Netherlands beat Wales 2-1 in dramatic circumstances in the Nations League at the Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday night. After seeing Rhys Norrington-Davies cancel out Teun Koopmeiners' opener in the second minute of injury time, Netherlands looked set to be forced to settle for a point, but Burnley striker Wout Weghorst scored two minutes later to snatch a dramatic last-gasp winner.

De Jong, after starting in the 4-1 win over Belgium on Friday, started among the substitutes but was called upon by Van Gaal with just over 20 minutes left on the clock, with his side 1-0 up at the time. The United target had a positive influence on the game, giving his team some control and energy in midfield, as well as winning the ball back in the build up to Weghorst's winner.

Van Gaal, who will step down as Netherlands boss following the World Cup later this year, heaped praise on De Jong following the full-time whistle, outlining explaining why his value is so high. United are understood to be weighing up a big bid for his services, but Barcelona chief Xavi is reluctant to lose him.

"Frenkie de Jong does bring an extra quality, of course," Van Gaal said. "That is why he is also worth €112 million (£95.9m)."

That was not a figure Van Gaal had picked from thin air. He had clearly done his homework on the 25-year-old, with the latest CIES Football Observatory Report valuing him at a whopping €112.5million, making him the seventh most valuable player in the world.

United, however, will be hoping to be able to sign him