Tottenham Hotspur have allegedly approached Barcelona with a bid of €60m (£51.2m) for Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The 26-year-old's future with the Blaugrana has been called into question for a couple of years now, and Manchester United memorably made a concerted effort to sign him in the summer of 2022.
Amid a bitter contract dispute with De Jong, Barcelona are understood to have accepted an offer from Erik ten Hag's team, but the ex-Ajax starlet had no interest in leaving Catalonia.
Since the Red Devils saga, De Jong has reaffirmed his commitment to Barcelona on multiple occasions and was an important figure during the Blaugrana's run to the 2022-23 La Liga title, his first top-flight crown with the club.
Speculation over De Jong's next career move has begun to resurface, though, as it has been claimed that the 26-year-old would now be open to a summer exit from Camp Nou amid Barca's on-field struggles this season, which have seen Xavi announce his resignation as head coach at the end of the campaign.
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De Jong's stance has supposedly put Man United back on red alert, while Chelsea have also shown an interest in recruiting the Netherlands international, whose Barcelona contract runs out in 2026.
The Spanish champions are apparently keen to finally agree fresh terms with De Jong, who has not put pen to paper on a renewal since 2020, but a big-money sale could be considered amid their long-running financial concerns.
According to Jijantes FC, Tottenham have now thrown their hat into the ring and have come forward with an official offer of €60m (£51.2m) including add-ons for De Jong's signature.
The Lilywhites are also said to have offered De Jong a four-year contract until 2028, and he will pocket the same salary he currently receives at Barcelona, so long as he hits certain performance-related objectives.
The midfielder's stance on a potential move to Tottenham is not clear, but a spot may free up for the North London giants to add a new midfielder to their ranks if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaves the club this summer.
ℹ INFORMA @JijantesFC
— Jijantes FC (@JijantesFC) February 14, 2024
‼ El Barça ha recibido una oferta del Tottenham por Frenkie de Jong
💰 Operación alrededor de unos 60M, incluidos variables, y 4 años de contrato para el holandés
📊 El jugador llegaría a tener el mismo sueldo que en el Barça si cumple unos objetivos... pic.twitter.com/B5ZcUuuOeI
The Denmark international has fallen behind the rejuvenated Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr in the Tottenham pecking order and was believed to have been on Juventus' radar during the winter window.
Both Hojbjerg and his agent confirmed towards the end of the window that he would be staying put in North London, but he is out of contract in 2025, giving Spurs an incentive to cash in this summer if no new deal is agreed.
Since ending his four-year stint at Ajax to join Barcelona in 2019, De Jong has contributed 16 goals and 21 assists from 206 games for the Catalan giants in all tournaments, winning one Copa del Rey and one Supercopa de Espana as well as last season's La Liga title.
The Dutchman has missed a good chunk of the 2023-24 campaign due to a sprained ankle but has still struck one goal in 23 matches, and he has played the full 90 in each of their last six La Liga matches.
Barcelona are next in action away to Celta Vigo on Saturday evening before travelling to Napoli for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash on February 21.
Ben Knapton
