Man Utd: 'Negotiations started' to sign £72m star at Old Trafford

Manchester United have ‘already started negotiations’ with Barcelona over a deal for midfielder Frenkie de Jong although finding a compromise on a fee appears to be the key to any deal, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

Reports suggest that the Netherlands international is a primary target for new Red Devils manager Erik Ten Hag this summer as he looks to improve the Old Trafford outfit.

Well, as per The Guardian on Friday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has reported that United have submitted a €70m offer, which was €60m up front with a further €10m guaranteed in add-ons, but it has been rejected by Barca.

Romano says that the Spanish club value their player at around €85m (£72m), so United will need to raise their offer to get the deal across the line.

The same report states that De Jong isn’t pushing to leave the Camp Nou for Old Trafford, and that the two clubs remain in contact over a potential move – it seems as though this one has a few more twists and turns to go yet if Ten Hag wants to land the 25-year-old he worked with for 18 months at previous club, Ajax.

Crook told GIVEMESPORT that talks are underway between United and the La Liga giants, but that a compromise may need to be found on the €80m price tag put on the player’s head.

Speaking to GMS, he said: “I think they’ve already started negotiations with Barcelona. They won’t pay the €80 million that Barcelona want but they’ll pay €60 million I’d imagine, and Barcelona need to sell to bring in their own players.”

De Jong to Man United is ON! Hear more on The Football Terrace…

He would, but you have to wonder whether he is the specialist defensive midfielder the Red Devils appear to have missed for a number of years given his usual style of play.

The