Manchester United’s negotiations with Barcelona over a deal for midfielder Frenkie de Jong have progressed and 90min can confirm that an agreement is close to being reached.
United failed with an opening bid of around €65m (£56m) for the Dutchman but remain determined to get a deal over the line, indicating a willingness to increase their bid to provide Erik ten Hag with his primary target this summer.
Barcelona have been holding out for closer to the €85m (£73m) mark and sources have confirmed to 90min that United have improved their offer to €80m (£69m).
It is understood that Barcelona are still pushing United to come up a little higher, although the Red Devils are reluctant to break the £70m barrier as they prepare to take on his sizeable salary as well. Nevertheless, sources believe an agreement will be struck soon.
United have informed Ten Hag that a deal for De Jong is close, with the boss desperate for a reunion with his former Ajax star to kick-start his rebuild at Old Trafford.
De Jong’s personal terms have already been discussed between United and his representatives earlier in the month and they are not seen as an issue, with De Jong set to become one of the club’s highest-paid players – indeed only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and David De Gea.
Officials at United are hopeful of finalising a deal for De Jong in the coming week, allowing the midfielder to join up with his new team-mates shortly after Ten Hag’s pre-season begins on Monday.
