Frenkie de Jong is all smiles in training amid uncertainty over £71m Man United move as Barcelona prepare for the first game of their US tour against David Beckham’s Inter Miami
- Barcelona are in Miami for the first leg of their pre-season tour of the USA
- They take on MLS side Inter Miami, owned by David Beckham, on Tuesday night
- Man United target Frenkie de Jong looked relaxed during their training session
- He remains Erik ten Hag’s No 1 target but there is an impasse with Barcelona
- De Jong wants the £17m in deferred wages he says Barcelona owe him
Frenkie de Jong cut a relaxed figure in training despite the uncertainty of his Barcelona future as the Manchester United target prepares for his first action on their American tour.
Barcelona are set to play MLS side Inter Miami – whose president is David Beckham and head coach is Phil Neville – on Tuesday night.
They staged an open training session at Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium on Monday evening with US-based Barca fans thrilled to see their heroes in the flesh.
Frenkie de Jong cracks a smile during Barcelona’s training session in Miami on Monday night
The Holland midfielder (second right) remains Manchester United’s No 1 summer target
De Jong is likely to feature in Barcelona’s first match of their American tour on Tuesday night
Holland midfielder De Jong remains the No 1 transfer target for new United boss Erik ten Hag this summer but negotiations over a deal have been painfully slow.
Although the two clubs have agreed a £71million valuation, De Jong is embroiled in a contract stand-off with cash-strapped Barcelona, who owe him more than £17m in deferred wages.
He is also reluctant to give up Champions League football next season to move to United, who will only be in the Europa League, even though Barcelona are showing him the door in order to raise much-needed funds.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fires in a shot during Monday night’s training session in Florida
Aubameyang shakes hands with Amau Tenas during the session at the DRV PNK Stadium
Barca players celebrate scoring a goal during a training ground match on Monday night
Despite the ongoing talks, De Jong is part of the Barcelona squad that has travelled to the United States for what is a four-match tour.
They begin against Inter Miami on Tuesday before heading to Las Vegas to take on arch-rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.
After that, Barcelona head to Dallas to take on Juventus on July 26 and New Jersey to face the New York Red Bulls on July 30.
Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba celebrate as Barcelona continued their pre-season preparations
Hundreds of fans attended the open training session on Monday at Inter Miami’s home ground
Barca are set to play Phil Neville’s (left) Inter Miami in the first of their friendlies in the US
Barca and United have agreed a fee for De Jong of an initial £63m – with a further £8m in potential add-ons – with the Barcelona hierarchy desperate to get the Dutchman’s wages off their books to abide with Financial Fair Play rules.
That’s because they have spent £49m on Leeds United winger Raphinha and £42m on Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, in addition to the free signings of Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie.
