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Rob DawsonReporter
Barcelona blamed La Liga’s strict financial rules for their tough negotiating stance Frenkie de Jong in transfer talk with Manchester Unitedsources have told ESPN.
United are keen on De Jong this summer while Barcelona want to let the midfielder go to raise money to fund their transfer business before next season.
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The Old Trafford owners are demanding a fee that reflects the fact Barcelona want to sell the player but sources have told ESPN that the Spanish giants insist they are handcuffed by La Liga.
They were subject to financial restrictions after breaching their salary cap and as such were only able to reinvest a third of their earnings into transfers or salary savings to return to the competition team. fight.
Barcelona, according to sources familiar with the negotiations, are using the matter to push ahead with an offer beyond the £73m they have already paid. Ajax for De Jong in 2019.
However, United want to spend a base fee of between £50m and £60m and are aware that agreeing to a significantly higher amount will hamper efforts to spend on other areas of the team. Sources have told ESPN the club are working to hit a net spending budget of between £100m and £150m.
Erik Ten Hag and Director of Football John Murtough have made a central midfielder their top target this summer.
De Jong is the first choice and Christian Eriksen should be viewed as an additional option rather than an alternative.
United have indicated they are interested in Eriksen, who is a free agent, but sources have told ESPN that he wants to stay in London after a stint at the club. Brentford previous season. Tottenhamwhere he played from 2013 to 2020, remains his most likely destination.
In addition to signing a midfielder, United are also targeting a versatile striker who can play in a number of positions up front.
Ajax winger Antony are among the key targets and sources have told ESPN it is hoped that a £40m fee can be agreed with Ten Hag’s former club.
22 years old Brazil The international has scored 22 goals in 79 games for Ajax since arriving from Sao Paulo in 2020.
Meanwhile, Barca and City of Manchester announced they will face each other in a charity match more than two weeks after the new Premier League campaign.
Pep Guardiola’s side will travel to Camp Nou on August 24 for a friendly to raise funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) awareness.
It is in honor of former Barca player and assistant coach, Mr. Carlos Unzue, who was diagnosed with ALS two years ago.
