Manchester United 'reach broad agreement over Frenkie de Jong fee'

Since the arrival of Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout, the Red Devils have been pursuing De Jong as their number one midfield target.

De Jong broke into the Ajax first team under Ten Hag, reaching the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League before securing a £77m move to Barcelona in 2019.

The 25-year-old's contract at Camp Nou does not expire until the summer of 2026, which has allowed Barcelona to drive a hard bargain in negotiations with Ten Hag's side.

However, Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge claims that Man United now have an agreement of sorts in place with the Catalan club, who will receive an upfront fee of £56.2m.

"The clubs have a broad agreement on a fee of around €65m (£56.2m) plus performance-related add-ons. Discussions continue over more details of the deal," Bridge said. Personal terms are not expected to be a problem and all parties are confident."

De Jong should therefore arrive as Ten Hag's first signing of the summer transfer window and prepares to leave Barcelona having scored 13 goals and set up 17 more in 139 appearances in all tournaments.

Despite the emergence of Gavi and Pedri, De Jong remained a key figure in the Barcelona midfield last term, scoring four goals and providing five assists in 46 matches for Xavi's side.

The Netherlands international has only won one Copa del Rey during his three years at Barcelona, while he collected an Eredivisie title and a KNVB-Beker crown under Ten Hag at Ajax.

De Jong arrives to bolster a Man United midfield that has been left depleted by the exits of Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic, who are set to be battling against one another in Serie A next term.

Matic has reunited with Jose Mourinho at Roma, while Pogba is thought to be closing in on a return to Juventus six years after leaving for Man United in an £89m deal.

Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata have also departed alongside Lee Grant and Edinson Cavani, but the Red Devils are yet to announce any new signings ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Second-choice goalkeeper Dean Henderson is seemingly set to join Nottingham Forest on loan, while Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe could all depart to make room for a new centre-back.

Talks are allegedly still ongoing for Ajax duo Lisandro Martinez and Jurrien Timber, in spite of earlier claims that the latter had elected to snub interest from Man United.

Brazilian attacker Antony remains a top target for the 20-time English champions, but Ten Hag may be forced to pay in excess of £100m to raid his former club this summer.