Bayern Munich ‘reignite interest in Frenkie de Jong’ – with Barcelona ‘hoping for offers of at least £50m for the Man United target… as Thomas Tuchel’s side ‘prepare £130m transfer war chest’ to refresh their squad

Bayern Munich have reignited their interest in Frenkie de Jong and ‘have enquired’ about the possibility of signing Barcelona midfielder, according to reports. 

The German giants are set to make a statement in the transfer window this summer, with Forbes claiming that executives at the Bavarian club have set aside a war chest of £130million to spend on new talent this summer. 

It comes amid a big shake up at the club, with reports claiming that Zinedine Zidane is ‘one step away’ from being appointed as Thomas Tuchel’s successor at the Bavarian outfit. Questions remain over whether he will join this summer, though, with some reporting that the former Real Madrid boss could be tempted to join Manchester United if Erik ten Hag leaves the club.  

According to Relevo, Bayern have ‘reignited their interest in De Jong’ and while they state that the 26-year-old is ‘happy’ at the LaLiga outfit, they claim that ‘Barcelona will welcome good offers for the Netherlands interntional.’

The outlet understands that the cash-strapped club hope to receive offers of at least £43m to £50m for the former Man United target, as Barca president Joan Laporta looks to raise over £86m in a bid to balance the club’s accounts before June 30. 

Last summer, Thomas Tuchel’s side had added the Dutchman to their transfer shortlist, after pulling out of the race to sign Arsenal midfielder Decland Rice. 

According to reports, Bayern had seen De Jong as an ‘ideal candidate’ to help them bolster their options in midfield. 

It also comes as Thomas Tuchel has reportedly made enquiries over the Dutch midfielder’s team-mate Ronald Araujo, with Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg claiming in December that Bayern were keen to sign the defender. 

Speculation has been bubbling recently, per GOAL, that Bayern could return again to land Araujo,  who was sent off during their Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain in midweek for a foul on Bradley Barcola.  

Revelo, meanwhile, claim that De Jong, who has been the target of many clubs around Europe’s top leagues since joining in 2019, will pick up a ‘£15million loyalty bonus’ after he deferred his salary during the covid-19 pandemic. 

The 26-year-old has experienced a few turbulent years at Barcelona, despite turning in consistent performances for his side – making 29 appearances this season. 

Relevo have also claimed that the midfielder has grown discontent at Barcelona, who have failed to capitalise on their 2022-23 title winning season.  

In February, De Jong hit back at wide speculation that he could move to Man United, with the Red Devils, amid a transfer saga that has been bubbling away for several years. In 2022, United had tabled a bid of approximately £70m to sign the midfielder, but he opted to stay in Spain. 

Despite that, United have retained an interest in him ever since. 

Earlier this week, he urged his side to bounce back after Barcelona crashed out of the Champions League following a dramatic defeat to PSG at the Barcelona Olympic Stadium.

‘We scored to go 1-0 up and we already have an important advantage but in Europe when you play with ten men against a team like PSG, you know you’re going to suffer,’ he said to Movistar reporters. ‘We tried but in the end we couldn’t do it anymore.

‘I had the feeling that Barcola’s touch was long and the ball was going towards our goalkeeper. I haven’t seen the play but that’s the feeling I had.

‘We have tried, we have fought but it was not possible. It is a strong blow because we were convinced that we could progress. There is no choice but to get up and try again next year.’