REPORT: ERIK TEN HAG HAS PHONED £68M LIVERPOOL TARGET SEVERAL TIMES, READY TO PAY ASKING PRICE

Following phone contacts from Erik ten Hag, Manchester United are ready to make a bid for Liverpool target Frenkie de Jong, according to Oriol Domènech.

WHAT’S THE DEAL?

The Red Devils appear to be ratcheting up their efforts to get the Netherlands international to the Premier League.

Barcelona is thought to be willing to sell De Jong for £68 million, and Manchester United is now willing to pay that amount.

Domènech revealed on Esport3’s “Onze” program that the 25-year-old was previously opposed to a move to Old Trafford.

Several phone calls from Ten Hag, with whom he worked at Ajax, have provided him with a deeper view of the Manchester United initiative.

De Jong is still hesitant to join the English giants because he wants to play in the Champions League, but he appears to be more receptive to the notion than he was previously.

It follows Liverpool’s interest in the Dutchman, who may be used in a deal to bring Robert Lewandowski to the Camp Nou.

Paris Saint-Germain is also interested in De Jong.

This season, the Barcelona No.21 scored four goals and provided five assists in 46 games.

Liverpool, in our opinion, must sell a midfielder before considering adding another in that position.

Jürgen Klopp is already having difficulty selecting three players from a squad that includes Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Fabinho, Thiago, James Milner, Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Harvey Elliott.

As things stand, Liverpool will be unable to sign another midfielder until at least one of those alternatives departs Anfield.

Oxlade-Chamberlain is one player who could leave Liverpool.

The England international is thought to be for sale, with Aston Villa and West Ham interested.

Keep an eye on the De Jong saga this summer, as anything might happen.