Frenkie de Jong could get his dream shirt number for Manchester United should Erik ten Hag complete his swoop for the Barcelona star during the upcoming window.
Speculation over the Netherlands midfielder remains at fever pitch and United are weighing-up a move for him in what would present a reunion with his former Ajax manager Ten Hag - who arrived at Old Trafford this Monday to start work on a much-needed summer rebuild.
Barcelona appear to have updated their stance on the 25-year-old after club president Joan Laporta admitted that De Jong could be sold. United continue to track the player and if they are successful with that £75million push they would reunite the Arkel-born playmaker with Ten Hag at Old Trafford next season.
READ MORE: Frenkie de Jong drops biggest transfer hint yet amid Manchester United interest
Speaking about the 40-cap Netherlands star, Laporta said: "He has a lot of quality, he knows our system and he's a player we think should continue at Barca. It's also true that he's a highly coveted player and we have had proposals from others. Right now, everything is open. It will depend a lot on the issue of fair play."
During his time at the Nou Camp and Ajax before that, De Jong proudly wore his preferred number 21 shirt - which will be vacated by departing United striker Edinson Cavani for next season. In an unprecedented move, the Premier League allowed Cavani to switch his squad number in 2021/2022 after the initial submission date.
That came as United sought to assign Cristiano Ronaldo the famous number 7 he wore during that first memorable spell at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009. It made sense for Cavani, too, given that he has donned 21 on his back for the Uruguay national team.
Despite wearing several jerseys in the Youth systems at Ajax and Willem II before that, De Jong was assigned 21 for his first campaign as part of the senior squad in Amsterdam. He opted for the same number at Barcelona and he also wears number 21 when representing the Netherlands in friendlies and major competitions.
Cavani was assigned the 21 shirt vacated by Daniel James upon his summer switch to Leeds United. Other numbers up for grabs at this stage are; 12, 24, 30, 32 and 35.
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