Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has seen a €50m bid for Frankie de Jong rejected by Barcelona, but Hansi Flick is begrudgingly willing to sell the midfielder.
De Jong was one of Man Utd’s top targets during the 2022 summer transfer window following Erik ten Hag’s arrival as head coach.
The Red Devils agreed a fee – believed to be around €80m – for the midfielder with Barcelona, who were desperate to ease their financial woes, but the midfielder was against the move.
Man Utd eventually admitted defeat and signed Brazil international Casemiro from Real Madrid as an alternative, but they have continued to be linked with De Jong in recent windows.
Manuel Ugarte had been United’s top target to partner Kobbie Mainoo in midfield since th…