Manchester United confident improved bid for Frenkie de Jong will tempt Barcelona to sell

Manchester United are preparing to make a second bid for Frenkie de Jong and are confident it will be enough to tempt Barcelona into selling the midfielder.

With Paul Pogba’s Manchester United departure having been confirmed earlier this month, new United manager Erik ten Hag is keen to make his compatriot the centre piece of a new-look side.

The pair worked together at Ajax, before De Jong joined Barcelona having starred in Ajax’s unlikely run to the Champions League semi-final three years ago.

De Jong has impressed only fleetingly since that high-profile transfer but his influence has grown under Xavi, who rejoined his old club midway through last season.

The 25-yerar-old, initially, was far from sold on the idea of a move to Old Trafford, but the presence of Ten Hag has altered his stance, even if his preference is to remain at Barcelona.

United failed with an opening offer of €60m earlier this month but are, according the Guardian, set to test the water with a new bid €70m plus add-ons.

The Red Devils believe that Barcelona’s perilous financial position will ultimately force them to sell De Jong and remove his sizeable salary from the wage bill.

However, over the last 24 hours the club has received a major boost in improving that situation after the board approved two measures that will provide the club with a huge cash injection.

Barcelona’s members have voted in favour of the sale of future merchandising and television rights.

The successful vote gives club president Joan Laporta and his directors the green light to sell 49.9% of the club’s Barca Licensing and Merchandising (BLM) subsidiary and 25% of its La Liga television rights revenues over the coming years. Both were passed by huge majorities — 88% for BLM