Man United 'closing in on Frenkie de Jong agreement with Barcelona'

Manchester United are reportedly close to reaching an agreement with Barcelona over the signing of Netherlands international Frenkie de Jong.

The midfielder's future has been the subject of widespread speculation in recent weeks, with new Man United boss Erik ten Hag said to have identified him as his leading summer transfer target.

The 20-time English champions allegedly recently made a verbal bid for the midfielder, offering €60m (£52m) plus €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons, but Barcelona are believed to want an €85m (£73.8m) guaranteed fee.

The two clubs were locked in talks over the weekend, and it is believed that an agreement could be reached in the region of €75m (£64.6m).

According to the Manchester Evening News, both sides are hoping to come to an agreement this week, with the Dutchman due to return from his holiday over the next few days.

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The report claims that Ten Hag wants De Jong to travel with the Man United squad on their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, with the players due to fly out on July 8.

Man United CEO Richard Arnold recently said that the club were "doing everything possible" to sign the 25-year-old during this summer's transfer window.

"As a club we're doing everything possible to get the deal done. I've been up for days trying to get it done, the money is there but there's things standing in our way which I can't say," Arnold told a group of anti-Glazer protestors in a Cheshire pub.

The former Ajax youngster made 46 appearances for Barcelona last season, contributing four goals and five assists in the process, but the club are open to a sale this summer due to their financial problems.

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De Jong represented Barcelona on 138 occasions in all competitions since arriving from Ajax in July 2016, contributing 12 goals and 17 assists in the process.

The Dutchman still has more than four years left to run on his contract at Camp Nou and had said earlier this summer that he wanted to remain at his "dream club".

"I prefer to stay with Barcelona. Barcelona is just my dream club. Also from a young age. I just said it too. I've never regretted my choice despite the fact that I had hoped for more in terms of prizes than I've achieved so far. But I have never regretted my choice," the midfielder told ESPN.

However, Ten Hag is believed to have convinced De Jong to make the move to Man United, promising that he will be a vital player for the English giants moving forward.

The midfielder has been on holiday since representing his country in the UEFA Nations League earlier this month, but he is due to return this week, and the Red Devils are determined to secure his signature ahead of their pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia next month.