Manchester United planning €114 million summer investment, Barcelona midfielder on list

According to a report by Jacque Talbot, Manchester United are planning to invest €114 million (£100 million) on a ‘world class’ midfielder in the summer, and have a fair few names on their list.

One of them is Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder was Barcelona’s first-choice CM alongside Pedri last season, but lost his place to Gavi ahead of the 2022/23 season.

While many expected it was because the club wanted to offload him in the summer, de Jong’s performances were not particularly helping him either. One of the clubs interested in him, as it so happens, was Manchester United.

The Red Devils had even found an agreement with Barcelona on an €85 million deal, including add-ons. The player, though, refused to succumb under the pressure of the administration.

However, as the season has progressed, de Jong has found a more prominent role under Xavi.

Not only has he done well in his natural position as a number 8, but has also covered rather impressively for Sergio Busquets in a role many thought would be unfamiliar to him.

In recent games, FdJ scored the second against Almeria and then assisted Raphinha’s winner against Osasuna three days later.

And while Erik Ten Hag is understandably fond of the player, he is not the only one on United’s radar. The Manchester outfit are also looking at Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, and West Ham’s Declan Rice.

Barcelona demanded €85 million from United for FdJ last summer, but his performances this season, and the World Cup could play a huge role in his estimated market value.

That said, it will not be surprising if Barcelona choose to retain the 25-year-old, especially since Busquets is expected to leave the club.