Barcelona reject Manchester United’s opening bid for Frenkie de Jong and set asking price

Barcelona has rejected Manchester United’s initial proposal for Frenkie de Jong and set a price for the midfielder.

Erik ten Hag previously worked with De Jong at Ajax and is eager to make the Dutch international his first United acquisition.

Ten Hag has signed a three-year contract at Old Trafford and realizes that reinforcements are required to turn the club’s fortunes around.

Manchester United has been in talks with Barcelona for some weeks and has finally tabled an offer worth €60 million (£51 million) plus €10 million (£8.5 million) in add-ons.

However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona has rejected the offer, while ESPN claims Barcelona is seeking an entire package around €100 million (£85 million).

The Spanish giants are willing to trade De Jong to help balance the books at the Nou Camp amid a continuing financial crisis, but will not let him leave cheaply.

De Jong has stated his wish to remain at Barcelona, but United is confident of convincing the midfielder to join his former Ajax manager in Manchester.

‘I can’t comment on that, but I prefer to stay in Barcelona,’ De Jong stated earlier this month.

‘As I’ve previously stated, Barcelona has been the club of my dreams since I was a child. Of course, if other clubs call, I will answer. It’s something that everyone does.’

‘Of sure, that is the best option. Then you have a trainer that knows exactly what you can and cannot accomplish,’ Van der Vaart said of Ten Hag.

‘United still needs some quality.’ There are players who can do the same thing as you and may be better or have performed better than you.

‘He is out of place at Barcelona as long as those other guys are there.’ He may play more like a Dutch national team player at United. If that’s the case, he’s the only one of his kind.’