Frenkie saga holding up Utd moves in the market

ERIK TEN HAG’S conviction that Frenkie de Jong is the player to lead Manchester United’s renaissance is behind the club’s lack of activity in the transfer market.

Ten Hag was handed a £150million budget on his arrival at Old Trafford earlier this summer – and immediately asked for six new signings to begin a major rebuild.

Ten Hag made De Jong his No.1 target – and believes that Holland’s midfield playmaker will sign for United ahead of Chelsea in a straight choice between the two Premier League clubs. The Red Devils have a £71.85m agreement in place with Barcelona to sign De Jong.

But the player, 25, is refusing to give up on £17m in deferred wages to make the move happen.

The stalemate has been dragging on but Ten Hag has been reluctant to tell United to press the button on any further incoming deals because he is worried it would strip him of the finances to sign De Jong (right).

United have lined up a £15m-plus-addons deal for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot – but if they land the Frenchman it will not alter their stance on De Jong.

Rabiot’s wage demands of £160,000-a-week are currently deemed to be excessive, while PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, 23, has also been targeted.

The United boss has already spoken to the 23-year-old Dutch footballer of the Year.

Ten Hag explained the financial tightrope he is walking to Gakpo and is aware that PSV will not cash in on the player anyway until their Champions League fate is decided.

PSV meet Rangers in a play-off for a place in the group stages worth around £60million.

Barcelona boss Xavi has told De Jong that he doesn’t feature in his plans – and his decision to only use the Dutchman as a substitute defender during the club’s pre-season tour of the USA was regarded as a humiliating slap in the face.

United feel that Barcelona are trying to force them into meeting their £17m obligation to De Jong to make the deal happen.

But Old Trafford’s moneymen know that Barcelona’s need to get the Dutchman off the payroll is even more desperate.

The Catalan club were hoping that Chelsea’s interest would break the deal wide open. But the Londoners are faced with the same dilemma.

It will now come down to which club blinks first.