Manchester United have reportedly informed Barcelona that they want to conclude a deal to sign Frenkie de Jong by Friday.
Red Devils chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough were both spotted in Barcelona on Monday and are understood to have held talks with the Catalan club over a deal for the 25-year-old midfielder.
Following the departures of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata, Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his midfield options this summer and has identified De Jong as his primary target.
United have allegedly reached a "broad agreement" with Barca to sign De Jong for €65m (£56.2m) plus add-ons, but his potential switch to Old Trafford is being held up as the Dutchman is owed in excess of £13.7m in wages, which was deferred due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to talkSPORT, United are keen for the transfer to be finalised quickly and have told Barca that the deal must be concluded by Friday.
The report adds that the Red Devils have drawn up a shortlist of midfield alternatives should they fail in their pursuit of De Jong, which includes Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves and Leicester City's Youri Tielemans.
Neves is believed to be valued in the region of £50m by Wolves, while Tielemans – who has also been linked with Arsenal – could cost between £30m and £35m as he has just 12 months remaining on his contract.
Oliver Thomas
