Man Utd issue warning to Barcelona in talks to sign Frenkie de Jong

Manchester United have warned Barcelona that they are unwilling to meet their £70 million asking price for Frenkie De Jong, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag is already facing the prospect of losing Paul Pogba on a free transfer and is keen to strengthen his options in central midfield this summer.

De Jong has already been identified by Ten Hag as a potential option having already managed him at Ajax.

Barcelona are open to a deal in order to balance their finances as they attempt to put together a deal for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

But according to MailOnline, United have informed Barca that they do not want to spend a significant part of their summer budget on signing De Jong.

The report claims that Barca are looking to recoup the £65 million they spent on signing the 25-year-old from Ajax in 2019.

When asked about De Jong’s future this week, Barca president Joan Laporta said: ‘I don’t know if we will sell important players.

‘If we complete some deals, maybe it won’t be needed. The priority is our financial situation. We will do what is best for the club.’

Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with De Jong, who is understood to favour playing for a club who will be in the Champions League next season.

Xavi, meanwhile, has stressed to Barca’s hierarchy that De Jong is a key part of his side.

‘For me he is a very important player. He has been a starter almost all the time,’ said the Barcelona head coach.

‘He is a fundamental footballer but then there is the economic situation, on which we all depend.

‘We need to know the financial situation in order to make some decisions and then we will take one decision or another, I don’t mean with Frenkie, I mean in general. 

‘He is a player