Man Utd still favourites for Frenkie de Jong with transfer meeting ‘soon’ over £71m deal – but need to offload flops
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MANCHESTER UNITED remain favourites to sign Frenkie de Jong, according to reports.
The Red Devils have been chasing the Dutchman all summer, although the transfer appears to have stalled in recent weeks.
It's been claimed that De Jong doesn't want to leave Barcelona, but would also even prefer a move to Chelsea than United.
But according to Catalan paper , the Red Devils are still in the driving seat to sign him.
They add that De Jong is set to meet with the club to discuss a resolution to the issue of his unpaid wages.
The midfielder is said to not want to leave Barca until the matter has been resolved - but fresh financial talks could push him one step closer to an exit.
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United remain "convinced" that De Jong DOES want to join them - despite reports to the contrary - and it's claimed he has remained in regular dialogue with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
While Sport claim that Chelsea are also a possible suitor, they add that United remain De Jong's more likely destination.
Man United writer adds that the structure of the Red Devils' deal for De Jong remains in place.
Club chiefs agreed a £71m price comprising of £63m upfront and £8m in add-ons earlier this summer.
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He adds that the Red Devils have to sell players before they can recruit more - having signed Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen.
Defenders Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones could all depart.
United will also be in the market for a forward, amid uncertainty surrounding wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo's future.
Barca president Joan Laporta has claimed that there is now a "strong" chance that De Jong stays in Catalonia.
He told : "In football, you never know. I can't say categorically. It all depends on the different parties.
"But in principle, I can say there is a strong possibility he stays, and I can say as president I will do my best for him to stay at Barcelona."
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Man United fans are set to stage an anti-Glazer protest ahead of their Prem opener against Brighton on Sunday.
A march upon Old Trafford from Salford Quays has been planned by supporters' group "The 1958".