08 February 2023 , 14:24
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Manchester United have been handed encouragement in their pursuits of Barcelona pair Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati with La Liga demanding that the Catalan giants dramatically reduce their wage bill.
The Spanish side’s dire financial situation has been public knowledge for a while and was, ultimately, one of the reasons that saw them lose the services of seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi ahead of the 2021/22 season. Their predicament has not been totally rectified over recent seasons, with considerable work still to be done by the Barcelona hierarchy.
In an ongoing dispute with La Liga, the Catalans have been told by the league’s chief Javier Tebas that they must lower their total wage bill by over €200m (£177m), according to Mundo Deportivo. There are various routes that the club could go down in order to do this but the most obvious would be to sell a number of Xavi’s first-team squad.
Departures of the likes of Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto would certainly assist in that regard, with the pair entering the final six months of their respective deals recently. However, it might well be required for them to part ways with other big-earners too.
That could well see United move for a couple of players they have targeted in the past. Following the arrival of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, the Red Devils were strongly linked with a move for Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
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Interest in him reportedly remains and Barcelona might well be open to selling him as they attempt to meet La Liga’s wage demands. He could potentially be joined at Old Trafford by one of his current team-mates.
Recent reports in Spain have suggested that the Red Devils are among a clutch of clubs interested in young forward Ansu Fati. Cristiano Ronaldo ’s former agent Jorge Mendes has apparently approached potential suitors regarding a deal.
Barcelona could be forced to sell Frenkie De Jong and Ansu Fati this summer (Getty Images)What signings do you think Man Utd should make ahead of next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Whilst Xavi is keen to keep hold of the 20-year-old - and his contract set to run until the summer of 2027 - he is arguably one of the most lucrative assets in Catalonia at the current time and would help hugely as the club attempt to solve their current financial woes.
United struggled to spend in the January window with just three loan deals completed - but they have aspirations of spending heavily ahead of Ten Hag's second full season in charge at Old Trafford. It is suggested that a fee of £90m could tempt Barca into selling Fati.
Away from the duo, there could also potentially be even more players set to exit the Camp Nou. It is suggested that the likes of Jordi Alba, Franck Kessie, Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres could all be sold.
Ironically, Man Utd will get a close look at the players that they could look to sign later this month with a Europa League double-header against Barcelona to come. The pair clash in the playoff round of the competition - the first-leg taking place at the Camp Nou next Thursday before the second leg at Old Trafford the following week.