Frenkie De Jong Transfer To Manchester United Still Likely Despite Upturn In Barcelona Finance

Despite an improvement in the club’s finances, Barcelona are still continuing with their idea of selling Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United.

Manchester United and Barcelona have been locked in tough negotiations over the past week, with there being about a £20m difference in the respective club’s valuations of De Jong.

Despite Barcelona already rejecting a United bid for the Dutchman, it was previously thought that they would accept a bid under their valuation because of their perilous financial situation and need to align themselves with La Liga’s strict financial fair play rules.

However, a turn in Bareclona’s financial situation will allow them to stick more firmly to their valuation of de Jong, forcing United to meet this valuation of about £80m in order to sign the central midfielder.

It is being reported that partners of Barcelona have authorized the board of directors to sell a number of the club’s assets, with these sales set to clean up the club’s financial situation.

These assets include shares of ‘Barca Licensing and Merchandising’ and a transfer of Barcelona’s La Liga television rights for the next 25 years to an external investor.

By selling these various assets off, it is expected that Barcelona will receive approximately €600m, with virtually this whole sum needed to cancel out the club’s pre-existing debt.

The Athletic also reported on this situation, with them highlighting these assets as economic levers, which Barcelona are trying to activate in order to start their own summer transfer business.

Barcelona President, Joan Laporta, was quoted as saying, “It’s the least we need,” with this being accurate, as limitations on Barcelona’s salary amounts will begin to reverse. This will allow the club to register new players, something the club has gotten attention for in the previous year, having to register a number of players because of limitations.

Regardless of this cash injection, it appears Barcelona are still eager to sell de Jong for a substantial fee, as the Catalan club want to use this injection to sign a number of new targets, rather than retain players already at the club. Reports suggest that they are in advanced discussions with Robert Lewandoski, as well as targeting Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen and AC Milan midfielder, Franck Kessie.

This is promising news for Manchetser United fans, as it still indicates a high likelihood of signing de Jong ahead of the 22/23 season, with fans desperate to see a new central midfielder at the club following the departures of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

Ultimately, the key takeaway from Barcelona’s improved financial situation is that Manchetser United may be forced to pay slightly more to secure the services of the Dutchman, as Barcelona are in a far less dire situation. This being said, Barcelona’s own desperation to secure their summer targets could lead to them accepting a reduced fee for de Jong from United.

It is thought a new bid for de Jong is already in the works from United, with fans hoping such a bid will be made sooner rather than later.