United's pursuit of Frenkie de Jong HELD UP by money owed by Barcelona

Manchester United's protracted move for Frenkie de Jong is being held up as he is owed over £17million in outstanding wages and bonuses by Barcelona.

The 25-year old agreed to defer some of his wages to help the club during the Covid pandemic but with his departure pending De Jong's representatives want the player suitably compensated before he joins Manchester United.

United have agreed an outline fee with Barcelona for de Jong and had hoped to have him signed prior to leaving on tour this Friday. Discussions are continuing with de Jong open to joining amid regular talks with Erik ten Hag.

De Jong has played 140 times for Barcelona since joining from Ajax, scoring 13 times in his three seasons. His only trophy at the Nou Camp was the Copa del Rey in 2021. 

A switch has also been complicated by Barcelona president Joan Laporta publicly insisting the club have no intention of letting De Jong leave. 

He said in a press conference presenting new signing Franck Kessie: 'Frenkie is not for sale. He is a Barcelona player. We don't want to transfer him.'

United are determined to add new signings before the week is out, however.

Having already reached agreement in principle on a three year deal with Christian Eriksen they are focusing attention on Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.

Ajax anticipate new offers from both United and Arsenal over the next days with the Argentine keen to leave for the Premier League.

Lisandro's team-mate Antony was hoping to earn a move to United also but his £70m valuation is prohibitive and the Brazilian fears he will be priced out of a transfer.

The former Sao Paulo attacker joined the Dutch team in 2020 and has made 78 appearances in all competitions, scoring 22 goals and making 19 assists. 

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