KEY POINTS

  • Frenkie de Jong joined Barca from Ajax in 2019
  • De Jong's current deal with Barca is until 2026
  • He has been a regular member of the Barca squad since 2019

FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is reportedly close to joining Manchester United ahead of the 2022 summer window.

There is a 95% chance that De Jong will move to Old Trafford this summer and the move would be purely an economic decision from the club, which is in a deep financial crisis, according to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, who has a credible record in the European transfer market.

Manchester United are ready to pay around $74 million-$84 million for De Jong, who moved from Ajax to Barcelona in 2019. De Jong has not been at his best this term, having been involved in just nine goals at Barcelona (four goals and five assists).

It was previously reported that the Red Devils were planning to include Marcus Rashford in the deal to land De Jong.

De Jong is contracted with Barcelona until 2026, according to Transfermarkt. Barcelona also believe that if De Jong continues for one more season and he does not do well, he will lose value and the Catalan club will lose money, according to Barca Blaugranes. The Camp Nou side signed De Jong at an initial fee of $79 million ahead of the 2019-20 season. The Dutchman has been a regular member of the Barcelona first team.

Earlier this year, De Jong said he would pen a six-year extension with Barcelona if the club proposed, emphasizing he was loving his time at Camp Nou.

"I love being at Barcelona. I'd probably sign a six-year contract extension if they'd propose to me, yes. Is something happening with FC Bayern? No, no. I am so happy at Barcelona and I would love to play here for as long as possible," the Dutchman said when asked about his future, Goal reported.

Lionel Messi with Frenkie de Jong at the end of Barcelona's 2-0 win away to Juventus
Lionel Messi with Frenkie de Jong during a Barcelona game AFP / Marco BERTORELLO

Following Lionel Messi's departure last summer, Barcelona are undergoing a tough transition phase. This season, the Catalans faced demotion from the UEFA Champions League to Europa League, where they were eliminated from the quarter-final. Barca are set to finish the ongoing season without a trophy. They last won the league title back in the 2018-19 season.

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