Frenkie de Jong transfer latest: Barcelona’s ‘extraordinary’ request to Man Utd as ‘fee agreed’

Manchester United’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong has become one of the most protracted transfer sagas of the summer.

It was initially reported in May that the Red Devils were keen to sign the Dutchman, and a few weeks ago it looked like a sure thing.

But with United beginning their pre-season preparations with a 4-0 win over Liverpool in Thailand, the expected signing of De Jong is looking more and more uncertain, especially with Chelsea reportedly interested in the 26-year-old.

But what is the latest, and where are we at with negotiations? We’ve rounded up the latest rumours on United’s key transfer target…

Deferred wages remain a stumbling block

As per BBC Sport, United chiefs Richard Arnold and John Murtough flew to Barcelona earlier this week to discuss the transfer with Barcelona.

They add a deal is being ‘hampered by a contractual issue’, with De Jong owed £17m from the club in deferred wages.

The midfielder ‘is reluctant to leave Barca given what he feels he is owed’, with the Catalan club unwilling to pay his outstanding wages.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook states Barcelona are hoping United will contribute to the £17m owed.

“Clearly he wants that settled before really engaging in talks with Manchester United,” Crook said.

“And it’s been suggested to me that what Barcelona really want is Manchester United to make some kind of financial contribution to those unpaid wages, which will be quite an extraordinary turn of events.”

“De Jong, in an ideal world, would want to stay at Barcelona, I think that remains his preferred option,” he added. “I think that’s different to saying he doesn’t want to join Manchester United.”

Journalist Fabrizio Romano delivered an update on Wednesday morning, claiming on Twitter that the ‘deal [is] now stalling’, with the player’s agents informing Barcelona ‘he still [has] no intention to leave’.

What else has been reported?

Despite the issues surrounding De Jong’s deferred wages, Esport3 journalist Oriol Domenech claims the two clubs have agreed a fee for the transfer.

The move would cost the Red Devils £72million (€85m) and Domenech reports both teams are hopeful the Netherlands international will change his mind and decide to complete a switch to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo claim De Jong was left ‘disgusted’ by a phone call from Xavi, informing him of Barcelona’s decision to sell him.

De Jong is reportedly disappointed at how the club have handled transfer negotiations but is appreciative of their dire financial situation and need to sell.

Should United complete the transfer, the same outlet state it could have a direct impact on local rivals Manchester City.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Bernardo Silva is Barca’s ‘number one option’ to replace De Jong, although their chances of signing the Portugal midfielder remain unlikely.