Manchester United Readying Second Bid Of €70 Million For Erik Ten Hag's Top Target

Manchester United are readying a second bid of around €70 million plus add-ons for former Ajax midfielder and current Barcelona player Frenkie de Jong.

That’s according to a report from Jamie Jackson of The Guardian. 

The report claims that after seeing their first bid for Frenkie de Jong, believed to be in the region of €60 million plus bonuses, rejected, Manchester United are preparing another bid to try and entice Barcelona into a sale after weeks of tough negotiations.

According to the report by Jackson, the ideal outcome for the decision makers at Old Trafford is that De Jong has joined by the time the squad fly out to Thailand for their pre-season training camp.

Although if that fails to materialise, having de Jong in the building by the time United kick off their Premier League season is something Murtough and Arnold certainly believe is possible, according to Jamie Jackson of The Guardian.

Jackson also claims that the mood is ‘bullish’ in regard to the Dutchman’s arrival, and it may well be a case of when not if the midfielder reunites with Erik ten Hag this summer.

The Dutch midfielder has already been involved in a protracted transfer saga this summer, with news of United’s interest going back to the end of May.

As of yet, the movement has been slow but with news emanating of De Jong being seduced by United’s overtures, if United and Barcelona can agree a fee then it should be Dutch delight for Ten Hag.

Frustration seems to be the word coming from ten Hag’s camp after reports over the weekend emerged over his slight annoyance with United’s lack of transfer activity so far. 

United’s CEO Richard Arnold has insisted over the weekend that the money is there for the Dutchman to spend how he chooses this summer.

However, if confidence is believed to be high amongst the United officials that Barcelona will succumb to United’s demands, then a massive piece of the jigsaw would be ticked off for Ten Hag and Manchester United.

With Barcelona’s perceived lack of funds this summer owing to their spending in summer’s past and indeed the debt attached to the club, an offer close to €80 million, may well ensure Barcelona have some wriggle room this summer.

With a rumoured interest from Barcelona in Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, this may well aid United’s pursuit of the 25-year-old with cash needed to see the Portuguese midfielder moving to the Catalan giants.

A plethora of first team players will return to Carrington next Monday and will start pre-season training with Erik ten Hag at the helm, ahead of the upcoming season.

The hope is that Ten Hag will have de Jong and potentially Christian Eriksen in the building by the time training starts.

This week promises to be a crucial week, with the Frenkie de Jong saga hopefully reaching it’s conclusion with the second offer being prepared.