are preparing to make a second bid for Frenkie de Jong and are confident it will be enough to tempt into selling the midfielder.
With ’s Manchester United departure having been confirmed earlier this month, new United manager Erik ten Hag is keen to make his compatriot the centre piece of a new-look side.
The pair worked together at , before De Jong joined Barcelona having starred in Ajax’s unlikely run to the Champions League semi-final three years ago.
De Jong has impressed only fleetingly since that high-profile transfer but his influence has grown under Xavi, who rejoined his old club midway through last season.
The 25-yerar-old, initially, was far from sold on the idea of a move to Old Trafford, but the presence of Ten Hag has altered his stance, even if his preference is to remain at Barcelona.
United failed with an opening offer of €60m earlier this month but are, according the , set to test the water with a new bid €70m plus add-ons.
The Red Devils believe that Barcelona’s perilous financial position will ultimately force them to sell De Jong and remove his sizeable salary from the wage bill.
However, over the last 24 hours the club has received a major boost in improving that situation after the board approved two measures that will provide the club with a huge cash injection.
Barcelona’s members have voted .
The successful vote gives club president Joan Laporta and his directors the green light to sell 49.9% of the club’s Barca Licensing and Merchandising (BLM) subsidiary and 25% of its La Liga television rights revenues over the coming years. Both were passed by huge majorities — 88% for BLM and 84% for TV revenues.
Reports suggest the moves could bring in close to £600million which will be used to offset the club’s debt – which stands at over £1billion – and improve the playing squad this summer.
Barcelona are still under pressure and have financial deadlines to hit in the coming weeks with their financial year ending on 30 July.
But there is now less urgency to raise huge sums before that deadline.
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