Man Utd and Barcelona IN TALKS over BOMBSHELL swap deal

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 18 Aug 2024 10:49 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester United and Barcelona are in talks over a bombshell swap deal, according to a fanciful report from Stretty News.

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It is reported that United have offered Jadon Sancho in exchange for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Barcelona are now said to be considering the approach in a deal that could suit both parties.

The reason for this is that Man Utd are in the market for a top central midfielder, with negotiations for their top target Manuel Ugarte not going well.

Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag worked with De Jong at Ajax and would love to have his former pupil back with him.

Barcelona, meanwhile, want to sign another winger before the end of the summer after missing out on their first target Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.

Barca are open to selling De Jong at the right price as they are well stocked at centre midfield and recently bought Dani Olmo from Leipzig.

United also are listening to offers for Sancho, who was left out of Ten Hag’s squad for the opening day win against Fulham on Friday. Sancho also has interest from PSG and Juventus.

© ProShots - De Jong was wanted by Man Utd in 2022

Man Utd tried to sign De Jong before

This is not the first time that Man Utd have tried to sign De Jong.

Barcelona are understood to have accepted an €85 million bid from Man Utd in July 2022, and made it clear that they wanted him to move to Old Trafford.

But De Jong refused to join Man Utd and stayed at Barcelona, despite interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich as well.

De Jong played a key role as Barca won La Liga in the 2022-23 season, making 33 league appearances, scoring two goals and providing four assists.

But he struggled more during a disappointing Barcelona season last term and missed Euro 2024 due to injury.

Now 27, this is his sixth season at Camp Nou after joining from Ten Hag’s Ajax in 2019 for €75m.