MANCHESTER UNITED are pulling out all the stops to sign Frenkie de Jong this summer – and have dropped the latest hint they could complete a deal.
De Jong has been the main saga of the summer with Barcelona reluctant to sell despite big spending on new arrivals.
However, the Red Devils suggested they may be confident they will land the Dutchman before deadline day.
The club released their squad numbers for the 2022-23 season – and left his beloved No21 free.
De Jong picked up the number coming through the ranks at Ajax and still has it for Barcelona and the Netherlands national team.
So if he does complete the switch to Old Trafford, the midfielder is guaranteed to get his favourite number.
Fellow ex-Ajax stars Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen, who both signed this summer, have previously worn No21 in the past.
Martinez did so in Amsterdam while Eriksen had it during his brief stint at Brentford.
However, the Argentine defender has taken Paul Pogba’s No6 this term and the Danish playmaker went for No14, vacated by Jesse Lingard.
There is still plenty of twists and turns expected in the De Jong drama before a decision on his future is confirmed.
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United have already had a £71.5million transfer bid accepted by Barcelona – but De Jong snubbed a move and appears to be keen to stay put.
However, the Catalan giants slapped their man with an ultimatum this week, insisting he had to take a pay cut or will be forced out of the Nou Camp.
The club already owe the midfielder £17MILLION in unpaid wages after he agreed to defer the payment of his salary during the Coronavirus pandemic.
De Jong could still be on his way out of Barcelona, though, with reports he could join Chelsea or Bayern Munich on loan.
Both clubs would be able to offer Champions League football this season – unlike United.
Heading to Germany would see De Jong reunited with pal Matthijs de Ligt while ex-Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech is at Stamford Bridge.
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