Manchester United will try to sign FC Barcelona duo Frenkie de Jong and Ronald Araujo this summer after receiving €500 million ($540 million) to spend in the transfer market according to Earth.

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The league club that knocked Barca out of the Europa League playoffs in February is currently in the process of being sold by the American owners of the Glazers.

Last week, Sky News registered that Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad al Thani of Qatar has increased his takeover bid from £5 billion ($6.2 billion) to something that is even less than the Glazers’ £6 billion ($7.46 billion) valuation.

For whatever amount the Mancunian outfit is delivered, however, the Glazers will leave behind €500m for head coach Erik ten Hag to invest in new players according to Earth.

Moreover, two of his main targets are currently working at FC Barcelona as “untouchables”.

Signed for 4.7 million euros ($5.01 million) from Boston River in 2019, Araujo has become one of the best defenders in the world under Xavi Hernandez.

He would normally be worth much more than the quoted fee, and something closer if not more than 100 million euros ($108 million) in normal times. But as he can walk for nothing in the summer as his new deal with Barca is still not registered, United are reportedly hoping to sign him on a free transfer.

As for De Jong, United had an offer of €85 million ($92 million) accepted by Barca for him in mid-July last year according to The Athletic only for the Dutchman to refuse to move citing a desire to succeed at Xavi watching and playing in the Champions League, something United were unable to offer at the time.

The Red Devils may have to offer the same amount or more to test Barca’s resolve this time around. De Jong still has no desire to flee Catalonia, however, and his status has also changed from bench-warmer to a key cog in Xavi’s La Liga-winning machine from when he was cash-strapped as Barca’s most marketable asset.

Similarly, Araujo is unlikely to seek to move on even as his new contract is being considered.

Put simply, United may need to look elsewhere in their shortlist or others who are surplus to requirements such as Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres if they really want to attack the Blaugrana.