Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made the signing of his former Ajax protege Frenkie de Jong a top transfer priority this summer.

According to reports, after weeks of negotiations, United were believed to be close to striking a deal for a fee of around £56million in addition to various add-ons which would take the total package to £75m for De Jong.

The deal is said to be far from completed, with Barca keen to receive a bigger guaranteed fee up front.

According to transfer expert Gerard Romero, Manchester United’s last offer for De Jong is €65million guaranteed plus €22million in add-ons.

However, Barcelona want €75million guaranteed from Manchester United plus €12million in add-ons.

Barcelona want a bulk of the transfer to be paid now so they can reinvest the funds into their squad this summer.

De Jong has returned to Spain from holiday, and reports claim he is in constant communication with Man United boss Erik ten Hag.

Recent reports claim Barcelona and Manchester United have reached an agreement of €87million for De Jong but are yet to agree how the €87million will be paid.

However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has always said to the media that the club won’t be selling De Jong.

Speaking on De Jong’s future as a Barcelona player, Laporta said, as per Barcelona reporter Reshad Raman: “There are clubs that want him, not just United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay.

“Frenkie is considered as one of the best midfielders in the world by all the experts. We are happy to have him.

“I’m going to do everything I can in my power so that Frenkie stays here, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted.”