Manchester United will reportedly make a final push to sign Frenkie de Jong in the latter stages of the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have been heavily linked with the Netherlands international since the end of May but have thus far been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign the Barcelona midfielder.
The 20-time English champions have agreed a deal to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid, which had seemingly ended Man United's chances of bringing De Jong to Old Trafford.
However, according to Telegraaf journalist Marcel van der Kraan, the Premier League outfit have not given up hope of bringing the 25-year-old to Manchester.
Van der Kraan claims that the Red Devils want to sign De Jong to play alongside Casemiro in midfield, with the club prepared to back head coach Erik ten Hag in the final stages of the market.
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Man United are expected to pay £60m plus a potential £10m in add-ons for Casemiro, while it is understood that they are preparing a big-money offer for Ajax attacker Antony, who is pushing to leave the Dutch champions in order to reunite with Ten Hag.
The Red Devils are believed to have come to an agreement with Barcelona over a £71.5m deal for De Jong but convincing the midfielder to move to Old Trafford has thus far proved problematic.
The Dutchman is still thought to be owed £17m by Barcelona in deferred wages, which is believed to be one of the main issues currently holding up his move away from Camp Nou.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has continued to insist that the former Ajax youngster is not available, but the club are under pressure to make a big sale late in the window, with new signing Jules Kounde still not registered.
The Catalan outfit are also planning to make a couple more signings in the latter stages of the market, so an exit for De Jong is still a huge possibility before the deadline.
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The midfielder made 46 appearances at club level during the 2021-22 campaign, contributing four goals and five assists in the process.
De Jong has also been involved for Xavi's side in the early stages of the current season, playing 85 minutes of Sunday's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga.
As well as Antony and De Jong, Man United also continue to be linked with PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo, while a new right-back and goalkeeper could arrive before the end of the transfer window.
There will also be outgoings at Old Trafford, with Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all potentially moving on, but Cristiano Ronaldo could remain at the club despite being strongly linked with an exit over the last couple of months.
The Red Devils will be bidding to recover from back-to-back defeats at the start of the new Premier League campaign when they welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford on Monday night.
Matt Law
