Barcelona have blamed strict economic rules on La Liga for their tough discussions with Frankie de Jong during transfer talks with Manchester United, sources told ESPN.
United are hoping to sign De Jong this summer, while Barcelona want to allow the midfielder to raise funds for his own transfer business before next season.
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The Old Trafford boss has claimed that the size of the fee indicates a desire to bring down the Barcelona player, but sources told ESPN that the Spanish giants have insisted their hands are tied through La Liga.
When their pay limits are violated, they are already subject to financial difficulties, so they can only reinvest one-third of what they do on transfers or save salaries for the team they are playing for.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Barcelona are using the issue to push forward a £ 73 million offer to Ajax for De Jong in 2019.
United, however, would prefer to spend a base fee between £ 50m- £ 60m and knows that agreeing to a larger amount would hinder the team’s efforts to spend on other areas. Sources told ESPN that the club is working on a net spending budget of £ 100m- £ 150m.
Eric Ten Hague and soccer director John Murtoff have named the midfielder as their top target for this summer.
De Jong is the first choice and Christian Eriksson is seen as an alternative.
United have said they are interested in free agent Ericsson, but sources told ESPN they would prefer to stay in London after the spell at Brentford last season. Tottenham, where he played between 2013 and 2020, remains his potential destination.
In addition to signing a midfielder, United are also in the market for an all-rounder who can play in a number of positions in the front line.
Ajax winger Anthony is one of the main targets, and sources told ESPN that a m 40m fee could be agreed with the former Ten Hague club.
The 22-year-old Brazil international has scored 22 goals in 79 appearances for Ajax since coming from Sao Paulo in 2020.
Meanwhile, Barca and Manchester City have announced that they will face each other in a charity match for more than two weeks in a new Premier League campaign.
Pep Guardiola’s side will go to a seminar on August 24 at Camp Nine to raise money for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) awareness.
This is in honor of the former Barca player and assistant coach. Juan Carlos Unzu was diagnosed with ALS two years ago.
