Barcelona Willing To Reduce Transfer Fee For Man Utd's Top Target De Jong [Details]

FC Barcelona are reportedly willing to reduce the transfer fee of Frenkie de Jong amid the midfielder's links with Manchester United.

Barcelona have labeled De Jong with an asking price of $104 million. However, the Catalans are ready to reduce it to $83 million and will accept the remaining in add-ons, reported Spanish outlet The Sport.

The Camp Nou side will not accept an offer below $73 million as it would incur a loss to the club that is already undergoing a massive financial crisis, the report further claimed. Last week, Manchester United made an opening bid of $63 million, plus around $11 million in add-ons. Though Barcelona instantly turned it down, both the clubs are still in contact, according to Fabrizio Romano.

De Jong, who is contracted with Barcelona until 2026, netted four goals and six assists in 46 appearances for the Catalans last season in all competitions. In three full seasons at Barca since his arrival from Ajax in 2019, De Jong has clocked 140 appearances, scoring 13 goals and providing 17 assists.

A move to Old Trafford would see De Jong reunite with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag. In fact, Ten Hag has been working hard to convince the Dutchman to join the Manchester club ahead of the 2022-23 season, according to CaughtOffSide.

With both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic out of Manchester United this summer, Ten Hag is desperate to land De Jong to boost his unconvincing midfield comprising Fred and Scott McTominay.

It was earlier reported that Xavi would be OK to part ways with De Jong, provided Barcelona signed either Bernardo Silva or Robert Lewandowski. While the talks are on between the club and Lewandowski, the signing of Silva looks far-fetched. The Portuguese midfielder's $94 million transfer fee at Etihad is beyond the Camp Nou side's reach at present.

Both Barcelona and Manchester United failed to win a single trophy last term.