Barcelona chief appears to make sudden De Jong to Man Utd transfer U-turn

Barcelona have insisted that they are under no financial pressure to sell players in a blow to Manchester United's hopes of signing Frenkie de Jong.

Former Ajax star De Jong is a top transfer priority for new United boss Erik ten Hag and there has been a phone call between the two already held in which the coach outlined the role the player would enjoy under him at the Red Devils.

Central midfield is an area in which United need to bolster their options ahead of several key departures this term. De Jong has been identified as the leading candidate for the club in the position and the Dutchman is at the top of United's shortlist of summer transfer targets.

Barca's economic vice president Eduard Romeu spoke of the club's alarming financial situation last week but has now poured cold water on suggestions that there is a pressing need for player sales. Romeu told Sport: "The number doing the most damage is asset imbalance.

"The negative capital of €500million. You could add €150m to that in losses this season if we didn't do anything. I said it before, if someone wants give me €500m...that is what we need to save Barca."

Those comments came as a boost to United and their pursuit of Dutch international midfielder De Jong. With Pedri, Gavi, Sergio Busquets and the incoming Franck Kessie in the position, De Jong is their one high-value player who can be seen as dispensable within their squad.

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Barca would aim to recuperate the majority of the transfer fee they paid Ajax in 2019 for the midfielder, reported to be £77million - although United believe a deal can be done for closer to £68million.

However, Romeu has now appeared to row back on his earlier comments about the club's financial situation as he told Catalan radio station Esport 3 this week: "Our revenue forecasts do not include the sales of any of our players. If any sales are generated then it will be a technical decision."

Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are among the plethora of Old Trafford exits this summer - freeing up a budget to identity and sign key Ten Hag targets. Only Donny van de Beek, Fred and Scott McTominay are senior recognised midfielders in the current ranks although Andreas Pereira and James Garner are both returning from loan stints away.

United are yet to sign any players for new boss Ten Hag with De Jong remaining the primary target although the club insist that they will not overpay for the Dutch midfield ace.