Man United Make Offer To Sign PL Midfielder – No Agreement Yet For De Jong

Netherlands' Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong after the match.

REUTERS/Toussaint Kluiters

Man United have made an offer to Christian Eriksen, but they remain a long way off meeting Barcelona’s asking price for Frenkie de Jong.

Discussions between United and Barca have accelerated following encouragement from the Dutchman that he would be open to join Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. The dynamic midfielder was initially understood to be insistent on continuing at Camp Nou under Xavi.

Ten Hag has managed to convince his former Ajax star to move to United. But as per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, talks have some way to run between the two clubs.

De Jong is the Red Devils’ priority this summer transfer window, but they aren’t waiting around for the La Liga outfit to make a decision and have already approached Eriksen.

The Premier League giants have offered a deal to the 30-year-old, who will become a free agent following the expiration of his Brentford contract on June 30. United are in need of a back up playmaker to challenge Bruno Fernandes following the departure of Juan Mata.

The Denmark international’s small stint under Thomas Frank has once again established him as one of the best playmakers in the Premier League, leading to interest from a host of clubs. Brentford have been keen to extend his stay, but Eriksen is considering several options.