De Jong has been the new Manchester United manager’s top target all summer but he is still a Barcelona player.

 

Negotiations have progressed between the two clubs and there is a broad agreement in place for a €65m initial fee.

 

 

Manchester United and Barcelona are discussing the structure of the €20m add-ons with De Jong also yet to agree to personal terms as well.

 

But according to Catalan journalist Gerard Romero, Ten Hag has continued to remain in the midfielder’s ear to try and take him to Old Trafford.

 

 

The Manchester United manager has been in daily contact with the player as he sees De Jong as the centrepiece of his project.

 

Ten Hag has promised the midfielder that the team will be built around his considerable talents in the middle of the park.

 

 

Tyrell Malacia’s arrival was confirmed on Tuesday and Manchester United are hoping to finalise deals to sign Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez before they fly out to Thailand on Friday.

 

De Jong will not be on that flight but Manchester United would like to wrap up the deal for him before Barcelona fly out to the United States next week.