Xavi: De Jong could be sold to Man Utd for financial reasons
FT Desk
- Updated: 14 May 2022 16:01 BST
- 2 min read
Barcelona manager Xavi has hinted that Frenkie de Jong could be sold to Manchester United for financial reasons.
Man Utd are in negotiations to sign the Barcelona midfielder, with respected journalist Gerard Romero even going as far as to claim that the deal is “95 per cent done”.
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Romero claims that Barcelona are happy to sell the Dutchman, who has failed to fulfil his potential at Camp Nou since arriving in 2019 from Ajax.
A fee of around €70 million has been suggested.
And Xavi, while insisting that De Jong is a key player, admits that Barcelona’s finances must be considered when receiving a transfer bid.
What did Xavi say about De Jong?
“I have said many times that Frenkie is very important. He's a key player," Xavi said at a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Cadiz.
"Then there is also the financial situation of the club and it has to be decided.”
Man Utd have made the signing of a top midfielder a priority this summer and hope to reunite De Jong with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who takes over at Old Trafford.
However, Mundo Deportivo reported on Thursday that Man City are now preparing their own move for De Jong.
After announcing the blockbuster transfer of Erling Haaland earlier this week from Borussia Dortmund, manager Pep Guardiola has now set his sights on strengthening the centre of midfield.
Fernandinho will depart on a free transfer, meaning that City will need to sign at least one central midfielder to replace him.
