Manchester United’s offer to Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong ‘EXPIRES’ as Dutchman turns down move

The long running saga of Manchester United‘s summer pursuit of Frenkie de Jong may have hit its final snag, with a report in Holland claiming the club’s offer to Barcelona has expired.

United seemed to be pushing to acquire the 25-year-old midfielder in a deal worth around £70million, in hopes of teaming De Jong up with new manager Erik ten Hag after their successful time together at Ajax.

However, Dutch football podcast Kick-off of De Telegraaf has said that the offer the Red Devils made to Barcelona to obtain the services of De Jong has run out.

Manchester United’s offer to Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong has expired, according to a report

And with Manchester United’s poor start to the Premier League season, it looks like the undefeated Chelsea could be in prime position to steal De Jong away.

Barcelona have tried to get De Jong to leave their set-up all summer, owing to the Catalan club’s financial situation, with the Dutch player owed a reported £17m in deferred wages which he has not been willing to forgo.

However, the Dutch midfielder did feature in Barcelona’s opening La Liga fixture, a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano.

Erik ten Hag’s wish to sign de Jong has meant United have been hampered with other transfers

While United cut a deal with Barcelona last month, it is thought the midfielder was reluctant to join the Red Devils because of the lack of Champions League football this season – and now that window appears to have closed.

Ten Hag’s desire to get de Jong has reportedly hit United’s other transfer ambitions, with only a couple of weeks of the window remaining before it shuts for the rest of 2022.

And Chelsea, under new chairman Todd Boehly, may be the club with the budget to also meet Barcelona’s valuation of the star – and offer him the escape from the Nou Camp that he has not taken so far.