Watch: Fabrizio Romano explains why Man Utd don’t have De Jong yet
Fabrizio Romano has supplied us with an update over the biggest ongoing transfer saga of the summer 2022 window: Manchester United’s effort to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.
This story has rumbled on since the end of the season over a month ago, leading to questions over why a deal has not yet been completed for De Jong.
Barcelona have evidently deemed the Netherlands international, who is among their most lucrative assets, as surplus to requirements – looking to cash-in and invest the money elsewhere in the squad, with Leeds United’s Brazil international Raphinha and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski said to be their top targets.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are looking to rebuild their midfield under new boss Erik ten Hag, who coached De Jong at Ajax. The 25-year-old is said to be their top priority this summer.
“Manchester United and Barcelona have both clear that the final value of Frenkie de Jong deal will be €85m package. Discussions ongoing on the €20m add-ons structure, so it takes time – guaranteed fee is €65m,” Romano tweeted earlier this week.
“Personal terms to be discussed with Frenkie right after.”
Romano, who has established himself as the leading voice on social media for all things transfer-related, has updated his YouTube channel with the latest details of negotiations between Manchester United and Barcelona for De Jong’s signature.
“It was almost impossible for this deal to be done by today,” Romano began.
“I’ve always been told this because it’s about the negotiations between the two clubs, it’s the negotiations about the add-ons, because the two clubs are really close to agreeing a fee for €65million plus €20million add-ons. This is what the two clubs are really prepared to agree.
“But the add-ons structure is a really complicated one. It’s not a few million euros. It’s 20 million in add-ons. They need to decide how to active these add-ons. Easy add-ons, complicated add-ons, in how many years to pay these add-ons.”
Romano went on to explain that personal terms also need to be discussed and agreed between De Jong and United. Watch the full breakdown below:
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