Manchester United are reportedly hopeful of finally concluding a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong over the next seven days.
The 20-time English champions have been strongly linked with the Netherlands international since the end of May, with the club's new head coach Erik ten Hag believed to have identified the midfielder as his number one target in the summer market.
Man United have thus far been frustrated in their attempts to sign the 25-year-old, while there have been claims that Chelsea are now at the head of the queue for his services.
However, according to De Telegraaf, the Red Devils are still pushing for the central midfielder and are looking to secure his signature within the next seven days.
Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan reported the news on his podcast, with the former Ajax youngster still said to be Man United's leading target in the remainder of the transfer window.
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Barcelona boss Xavi was asked about De Jong during a press conference on Friday and refused to guarantee that the midfielder would still be at Camp Nou beyond the end of the transfer window.
"It is the same as Auba (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang), he (De Jong) is important for me. He's in the squad and we will use him. I don't know what will happen between now and 31 August, but not just with Frenkie or with Auba, with almost everyone in the squad," Xavi told reporters.
De Jong is said to be owed in the region of £17m by Barcelona in deferred wages, with the Catalan giants thought to be keen to move him on this summer to ease their financial problems.
Due to the team's ongoing financial issues and the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, De Jong came to an agreement which would see him have the money transferred over the remainder of his contract, which is set to run until 2026.
The midfielder made 46 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign, contributing four goals and five assists in the process, although his starting role is under threat this term due to the return from injury of Pedri and arrival of Franck Kessie.
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Man United are believed to have come to an agreement with Barcelona over a €85m (£71.5m) deal, although the La Liga club have since said on a number of occasions that is not the case.
The Red Devils have made three signings during the summer window, bringing in Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, but they are still chasing a new forward, while deals for De Jong and Juventus' Adrien Rabiot could also occur before the deadline.
The team's failure to secure Champions League football for the 2022-23 campaign is believed to be a huge problem when it comes to convincing De Jong to make the move, while there have also been suggestions that the midfielder is reluctant to live in Manchester.
De Jong has been heavily involved in Barcelona's preparations for the new season, and he has been named in the squad for Saturday's 2022-23 La Liga opener with Rayo Vallecano.
Matt Law
