Manchester United are reportedly confident that Barcelona will eventually lower their asking price for Frenkie de Jong.
The Netherlands international is thought to be Erik ten Hag's number one priority target for the engine room following their successful relationship at Ajax.
De Jong burst onto the scene under Ten Hag, winning an Eredivisie title and KNVB-Beker as well as reaching the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League.
The 25-year-old's exploits in his homeland warranted a £77.4m move to Barcelona in the summer of 2019, and he has remained a key figure of the squad under several head coaches.
However, De Jong's future at Camp Nou continues to be called into question, with Gavi and Pedri emerging to provide competition and Franck Kessie due to arrive from AC Milan ahead of next season.
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Man United are believed to have already had a bid rejected for De Jong, but The Guardian claims that the Red Devils are hopeful that Barcelona will accept a lower figure than initially anticipated.
United's rebuffed offer would have supposedly seen Barcelona receive an upfront fee of €60m (£51.3m) for De Jong, which could have risen to €70m (£60.1m) with add-ons.
La Blaugrana instead told the Red Devils to up their price to €85m (£73m), but United are now optimistic about securing the Netherlands international's signature for a guaranteed €70m (£60.1m).
The report adds that Barcelona will "almost certainly" be forced to part ways with De Jong due to their financial circumstances, and Man United do not have any realistic competition for the Dutchman.
The former Ajax man has allegedly already cleared out his locker at Camp Nou as talks with Man United progress, which would see him depart Barcelona after a productive three-year spell.
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De Jong has registered 13 goals and 17 assists in 139 games for Barcelona since his arrival, but his only piece of silverware at Camp Nou so far has been the Copa del Rey.
The 2021-22 season saw De Jong register four goals and five assists in 46 matches in all competitions, and his Barcelona contract will not expire for another four years.
Man United have already seen Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic walk out of the door on free transfers, with Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani and the retired Lee Grant joining them.
The 20-time English champions were also strongly linked with a move for Porto's Vitinha, but Paris Saint-Germain are now understood to be closing in on the 22-year-old.
Christian Eriksen and Adrien Rabiot have also been mentioned as midfield targets for the Red Devils, who will begin the 2022-23 Premier League season at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on August 7.
Ben Knapton
