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Written by Martin Graham | May 13, 2022
Here is the latest news from Barcelona ahead of the summer transfer window
De Jong to Manchester United 95 percent finished
In a shocking turn of events for Barcelona fans, Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong is on his way to Manchester United ahead of the new season.
This is according to Spanish transfer journalist Gerard Romero, who claims Barcelona and Manchester United are 95 per cent close to completing a €80m deal for the 24-year-old.
Links with Man United have been rife in the media since last summer and became even more vocal in the media when Eric ten Hag was announced as the new head coach of the Premier League side.
Both worked together at Ajax Amsterdam for two seasons before de Jong moved to Barcelona in 2019. Tin Hag comes to take out the current Man United squad and rebuild from scratch.
Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard leave at the end of the season, putting the club in a difficult position in terms of midfielders. De Jong will be one of a number of new deals Ten Hag will use as the basis for his new team.
Fans expressed their displeasure on social media with the sale, but Romero noted that it was a purely economic decision by the club, which is still dealing with significant financial fallout from Josep Maria Bartomeu’s mismanagement and the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Barcelona reach agreement with Aston Villa to sell Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho’s long transition saga is drawing to a close, according to insider Fabrizio Romano reports.
Barcelona had given Villanes an ultimatum until the end of May to decide on the midfielder’s transfer after they made it clear that they wanted to keep him in the squad.
The Catalan club had charged him €40m at a reduced rate while they were looking for a way to get his wages off their books. Earlier this week, it was reported that Villa was eyeing the Brazilian for less than €25m.
Now, Romano claims the deal is nearing completion and Villa may pay €20m for the 29-year-old, who is enjoying life at the Midlands club under his former teammate.
Raheem Sterling’s hunt reignites
Reports claim that Barcelona has once again thrown its hat into the ring for Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling, who has been linked with the team for more than one season.
Man City have signed Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez as backup strikers and it was reported earlier that the club, who were keen to keep him, had told him the door was open for his exit if he wanted.
Barcelona saw an opportunity to return for the 27-year-old foot mercato But it is unclear what the economic implications of the deal will be.
Barcelona could also bring Gabriel Jesus to the Camp Nou along with Sterling, all thanks to the signing of Haaland. If they withdraw from both signings, the La Liga giants will have signed four players from the most successful Premier League side of the past decade in just two windows.
