Barcelona used Chelsea interest to pressure Man United into agreeing De Jong deal

*Pretends to be shocked*

Barcelona used Chelsea's interest in signing Frenkie de Jong as a way of pressuring Manchester United into agreeing a deal for the Dutchman, according to reports. In what feels like the longest transfer saga of all time, United have agreed a fee rumoured to be around €85m (£72m) with a guaranteed sum of €75m (£63.5m). https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1547823276436516865 But the player himself has reservations about linking up with former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford due to the absence of Champions League football. Barca also reportedly owe the midfielder as much as £17m in deferred wages and bonuses, and have even asked the 25-year-old to take a fraction of the money and get United to pay the rest in order to complete the move. Earlier this month it was reported that Chelsea had interest in signing De Jong and were willing to enter a bidding war but FootballTransfers have claimed that the Catalan giants used that rumoured interest into forcing United to succumb to their demands. While De Jong would ideally like to stay at the Camp Nou, Barça's embarrassing economic mismanagement over the years means they need to sell key assets to restore *some* financial respect to their name.

Barcelona keen to keep spending money, despite having no money

Despite this need to sell off big names to balance the books, La Blaugrana are still keen to throw money away at any given opportunity. The Spanish side recently confirmed the signing of Raphinha from Leeds United for a deal estimated to be in the region of £55m, but in true Barça style, some will be paid at a later date, simply prolonging their financial issues. United meanwhile are close to securing their second signing of the summer after they agreed terms with Ajax for defender Lisandro Martinez. https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1547854469676683265?s=20&t=EkA-912bH4ryEY7uf9bC-Q He will become the club's second signing after they brought Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord. Christian Eriksen has also agreed terms and is also edging closing to a move. Related links:

• Man United ‘reach full agreement’ for Frenkie de Jong with Barcelona
• Barcelona want Manchester United to ‘pay Frenkie de Jong’s unpaid wages’
• Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong ‘disgusted’ with Barcelona after Xavi phone call