Manchester United have been dealt what could be a crushing blow to their hopes of signing Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong this summer.
The Red Devils have been linked with the Dutch midfielder for the majority of the summer, with Erik ten Hag keen to be reunited with his former player. The pair struck up what was a profitable relationship with Eredivisie side Ajax having won both the Dutch league and cup before de Jong’s bid-money switch to Barcelona in the summer of 2019.
Amid the Catalan giants’ financial woes, it was previously thought that a deal would be relatively easy to facilitate but that does not appear to be the case. As per an official statement from the Spanish club, members have voted in favour of the sale of Barca’s future merchandising and television rights.
That allows current club president Joan Laporta to sell 49.9% of the club’s official Barca Licensing and Merchandising subsidiary and a further 25% of its La Liga broadcasting rights over the coming seasons. Whilst it remains to be seen what benefit specifically that will have on the future of the Spanish club, it is suggested that the sales could potentially bring in around £600m.
That amount would of course go a long way in cutting the club’s current £1billion debt and will inadvertently affect both their and Man Utd’s transfer business. With their financial strain alleviated, that would likely allay the need for any immediate sale, meaning De Jong could be set to stay at the Camp Nou after all.
The news will of course be a big blow to the Red Devils who were hoping to make the Dutchman their major midfield addition this summer. They are in desperate need of recruits in the centre of the park this summer after the likes of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata departed the club.
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It remains to been whether the prospect of signing de Jong is still viable with the 25-year-old still having four years left to run on his contract in Spain. If not, that could see the Red Devils turn to a few of their alternatives.
Wolverhampton Wanderers star Ruben Neves has regularly been linked with a switch to Old Trafford, with it being suggested that he could leave Molineux this summer. In the meantime, Leicester ’s Youri Tielemans could be an option for Ten Hag but Premier League rivals Arsenal remain confident on sealing a move for the Belgian despite having already made a move for Porto’s Fabio Vieira.
Should United fail to welcome a new midfielder between now and the close of the window, that would see the Red Devils forced to rely on Fred, Scott McTominay and potentially the returning pair of Donny van de Beek and James Garner - the duo having been with Everton and newly-promoted Nottingham Forest last term.
