Manchester United CEO Richard Arnold has said that the Red Devils are "doing everything possible" to secure the signature of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The 20-time English champions are currently in talks with Barcelona over a deal for the Netherlands international, who is free to leave Camp Nou for the right price this summer.
Man United are yet to come to an agreement with the Catalan giants over a transfer fee, but both parties are believed to be confident that a deal can be struck in the near future.
Speaking to a group of anti-Glazer protestors in a Cheshire pub, Arnold said that "the money is there" to sign the 25-year-old, but the club have 'things standing in their way'.
"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," said Arnold.
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A recent report claimed that the Dutchman had cleared out his locker at Barcelona, with Man United making progress in their pursuit of the former Ajax youngster.
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Man United made a verbal bid for the midfielder, offering €60m (£52m) plus €10m (£8.7m) in add-ons, but Barcelona want an €85m (£73.8m) guaranteed fee.
De Jong was again a key player for his Catalan club last term, scoring four goals and registering five assists in 46 appearances, but he could leave this summer to ease the team's financial problems.
Last week, the midfielder said that there was "no news" to bring on his future, but he was already at "the biggest club in the world".
"You are always flattered when teams show interest in you as a player," De Jong told reporters. "But I think I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment and feel fine there so there is no news."
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Meanwhile, he also recently admitted, while on international duty with Netherlands, that he would prefer to remain at Camp Nou during this summer's transfer window.
"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," De Jong told ESPN.
The midfielder has made 138 appearances for Barcelona since arriving from Ajax in 2019, contributing 12 goals and 17 assists in the process.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest in the Dutchman in the current market, but Man United are seemingly in pole position to secure his signature.
Erik ten Hag's side have allowed both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic to leave on free transfers this summer, but Donny van de Beek is heading back to Old Trafford after a loan spell at Everton.
Matt Law
