Manchester United are continuing to keep communication open with other midfield targets as they hold talks with Barcelona over a deal for Frenkie de Jong.
United have opened talks with the Catalan giants to try and seal a move for the 25-year-old this summer, but at the moment the two clubs are some way apart in their valuation of the Dutch midfielder.
De Jong is Erik ten Hag's top target to try and improve United's midfield and the pair worked together successfully at Ajax, before De Jong's move to the Nou Camp in the summer of 2019.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag held talks with Ryan Gravenberch over United transfer
He considered that a "dream" move, but Barcelona's dire financial problems mean they are now open to cashing in on De Jong and the player has come to accept that he might need to leave the club this summer.
United are unable to offer Champions League football, but De Jong is still open to the idea of a move to Old Trafford and a reunion with Ten Hag, who has made strengthening midfield his top priority since being unveiled as the new manager last month.
Football director John Murtough is holding talks with his Barcelona counterparts, but United sources are adamant they won't overpay for De Jong, who is currently in international action with Holland in their Nations League fixtures.
If they continue to be frustrated by Barcelona's valuation of De Jong, which sources in Spain suggest could be as high as €100m, then United are willing to move on to other targets and it is understood they have held talks with the representatives of potential alternatives.
United have shown an interest in Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips, but their final-day Premier League survival might have made that a trickier deal to do. Phillips is also now wanted by Manchester City and a move to the Etihad might be a preferred option for a player who comes from a family of Leeds fans and would be aware of the optics of a transfer to Old Trafford.
Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has also claimed Ten Hag spoke to him about following him to Old Trafford this summer, but the 20-year-old is set to join Bayern Munich.
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