Man Utd to submit delayed De Jong transfer bid after 'serious doubts' emerge

Manchester United are expected to make a second bid for Frenkie de Jong, despite the Barcelona midfielder reportedly having 'serious doubts' over the transfer.

De Jong, 25, is one of United's main transfer targets this summer. The Red Devils have already had a bid of €60million (£51.6m) rejected by Barcelona, who paid £65m for the Netherlands international when he arrived from Dutch side Ajax three years ago.

New United boss Erik ten Hag worked with De Jong at Ajax - winning a league and cup double together in 2018-19 - and is keen to sign at least one new midfielder in the summer transfer window after the club allowed Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic to depart.

Ten Hag is yet to make his first signing as United manager as he looks to rebuild the stuttering team. The Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League last season - recording their lowest points tally (58) since the 1989-90 term - and haven't won a trophy for five years.

According to the Manchester Evening News, United will table a second bid for De Jong in the coming days. Barcelona have slapped a €100m (£86m) price tag on the 44-cap international, although it's believed they will accept €75m (£64.6m) plus add-ons.

That would allow Barcelona recuperate the investment they made three years ago - and potentially make a profit. De Jong's valuation hasn't decreased since his move as he's played 140 games and proven himself at the highest level, helping Xavi's side finish second in La Liga last season.

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He also still has four years remaining on his existing deal, meaning Barcelona aren't in a rush to make a decision on his future. It's believed the Catalan giants will let De Jong leave the club for the right price as they have several central midfielders on their books.

Riqui Puig, Nico Gonzalez, Gavi and Golden Boy-winner Pedri have all broken into Barcelona's first team since De Jong arrived from Ajax. Manager Xavi also has experienced pair Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto to call on in central midfield.

Barcelona would certainly welcome a cash injection. They declared debts of more than £1billion last year, forcing them to release Lionel Messi. They've since pulled off a lucrative commercial deal with Spotify to help address this, yet aren't out of trouble just yet.

Although United could tempt Barcelona with a lucrative offer, persuading him to leave the sunny beaches of Catalonia behind for the temperamental climate of Manchester is another challenge. According to Mundo Deportivo, United are struggling to twist De Jong's arm.

The player is said to have 'serious doubts' over joining Ten Hag's Old Trafford revolution. One of the biggest sticking points is United's lack of Champions League football, with a gruelling Europa League campaign pencilled in - but there's still time for a deal to be done.

De Jong boasts a fine CV, winning three major trophies - including the Copa del Rey - and various individual honours. He was named in FIFA's World XI in 2019 and crowned the Eredivisie Player of the Season in 2018-19 - his final term in his native Netherlands.