Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has told interested sides that they should not hesitate to pay in excess of €100m if they want to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona this summer.
Barcelona's financial struggles have seen them tipped to offload De Jong after a few underwhelming years at Camp Nou, with the Dutchman recently admitting the Blaugrana's tactics don't always get the best out of him.
Manchester United have been tipped to move for De Jong this summer as his former Ajax boss, Erik ten Hag, prepares to take the reins at Old Trafford, although there are concerns over his price tag.
A recent study from CIES Football Observatory valued De Jong at €112.5m (£96m), and Van Gaal insisted that sum would be a fair price.
"I already knew how important Frenkie is," he told NOS. "I don't need to see that anymore.
"Frenkie brings extra quality, that's why he is worth €112m."
De Jong has admitted he is aware of interest from United but has long vowed to stay and fight for his place at Camp Nou, while those in charge at Barcelona have also publicly insisted that he is not for sale.
However, despite that stance, there have been numerous reports suggesting that Barcelona may need to sell De Jong in order to balance the books.
Robert Lewandowski’s agent is said to have put in a concerned call to Barcelona.
The Bayern Munich star has been heavily linked with a move to Camp Nou, with a Bayern Munich departure expected.
Lewandowski has just one year remaining on his current contract, and he has already made it clear he wants to leave for a new challenge.
Barca have been dubbed the most likely option, but just over a week ago, La Liga president Javier Tebas claimed Barcelona ‘could not sign’ the striker due to their financial difficulties.
The Catalan club must work under La Liga’s salary cap, which is predetermined for each club ahead of each season.
And if Barca pulled off the deal now, they could not register Lewandowski.
According to Mundo Deportivo, after Tebas’ comments, the Bayern striker’s agent called Barca with concerns over the comments.
Barca are said to have tried to appease the striker’s staff, but they remain in a tricky situation.
And that could leave the Lewandowski transfer in doubt.
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