Barcelona have been urged by Patrick Kluivert to perform a late transfer U-turn on midfielder Frenkie de Jong to prevent him from joining Manchester United.
De Jong, 25, is a top transfer priority for Erik ten Hag and the pair held a phone call during which the new United manager outlined the role the player would enjoy under him as part of a charm offensive. Reports this weekend outlined how the midfielder has already cleared out his locker at Barca with a move appearing to edge closer.
There are now reports of a "broad agreement" between the clubs, which would see the Dutch midfielder move to United for a fee of around £56million plus bonuses. Talks between the two clubs will now move to the finer details, before switching to negotiating with the player himself.
De Jong is said to have received assurances that the entire team would revolve around him as the major reference point in midfield. He would be the 'conductor of the orchestra' and would be an undisputed starter under Ten Hag – a similar role to the one he enjoyed so much at Ajax.
Barca's well-documented financial problems have watered down their negotiating position and they are now set to take a significant hit on the £77million fee they paid Ajax for the midfield maestro just three years ago. However, one former icon of the Catalan club and the Dutch national team is not happy about the arrangement.
Former striker Kluivert bagged 122 goals across six seasons with Barca and later worked as their director of La Masia academy, with his appointment coming in the same summer that De Jong was signed. He was however relinquished of his role by incoming president Joan Laporta last year.
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Kluivert has now said on the El Larguero show on Cadena Ser radio station in Spain: "I hope they keep him, yes. He is a player who has surprised many people, but you have to see the situation of the club. If you sell him, it is clear that he will generate a lot of money for the club.
"But you also have to take into account that a very long season is coming, many players will have to be changed, especially in midfield, and a player like Frenkie de Jong is not just anyone."
Despite Kluivert's reservations, it appears increasingly certain that De Jong will join United this summer to end his three-year stay in Catalonia. He played 140 times for the Blaugrana, scoring 13 goals for the club.
