Manchester United are reportedly preparing a fresh approach for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The Netherlands international has continued to play an integral role in the Blaugrana XI under Xavi, but his long-term future continues to be called into question.
De Jong's contract at Barcelona still has another four years left to run, though, which puts the Catalan club in a strong position when it comes to transfer negotiations.
Man United are thought to be the only realistic candidates for the 25-year-old's signature, with new Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag keen to reunite with his former Ajax protege.
Barcelona are reportedly holding out for an €85m (£73m) figure to sanction De Jong's exit and have already knocked back an offer that could have reached up to £60.1m with add-ons.
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Man United are said to be confident that La Blaugrana will ultimately lower their asking price for the Dutchman given their need to raise funds and lack of interested parties.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Man United are now considering putting in a new bid for De Jong as they plan for more direct talks with Barcelona.
Romano adds that Barcelona also expect the 20-time English champions to submit a fresh proposal after CEO Richard Arnold confirmed to supporters that De Jong is a priority target.
"As a club we're doing everything possible to get the deal done. I've been up for days trying to get it done, the money is there but there's things standing in our way which I can't say," Arnold told a group of anti-Glazer protestors outside a pub.
De Jong has consistently downplayed links with an exit from Barcelona, where he has scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists in 139 appearances across all competitions.
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The former Ajax starlet came up with four goals and five assists in 46 outings last term, and he has won one Copa del Rey title with the Catalan giants since his £77.4m move in 2019.
De Jong developed into one of Europe's brightest midfielders under Ten Hag - reaching the semi-finals of the 2018-19 Champions League - and the latter will be working with a much-changed midfield crop at Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have already left the club on free transfers, joining Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani and Lee Grant out of the exit door.
The likes of Christian Eriksen and Adrien Rabiot have also been mentioned as midfield targets for the Red Devils, who will seemingly fail in their efforts to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United.
Jude Bellingham has also ruled out the prospect of an exit from Borussia Dortmund this summer, and Man United will likely have to rival Liverpool for his signature in 2023.
Ben Knapton
