Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes Frenkie de Jong, who has been linked with a summer move to Old Trafford, is worth more than €100 million.
The Netherlands international midfielder is currently under contract with La Liga champions Barcelona, but his three-year stay at the Camp Nou might come to an end as Premier League heavyweights close in.
De Jong has emerged as a priority target for United as they hand over the coaching reins to ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag. Van Gaal saw De Jong come off the bench to assist the Netherlands beat Wales 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, he said:
“Frenkie de Jong does bring an extra quality, of course. That is why he is also worth €112 million (£95.9m).”
Many believe De Jong is worth up to €100 million on the open market, but there has been no indication that United is willing to pay a nine-figure fee for his talents.
United will not give up on De Jong, and the Red Devils are bracing themselves for yet another lengthy transfer crisis. Ten Hag is thought to be seeking for at least five new players to add to the team he took over from interim coach Ralf Rangnick.
On the tail of a sixth-place finish in 2021-22, he has no Champions League football to offer as a negotiating chip, but United remains a team that can lure talented players all over the world.
Barcelona’s resolve to keep De Jong will be put to the test as the Catalan club has to free up finances, and the Spanish club will consider offers of roughly €60 million.
