Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has received a welcome boost ahead of a potential transfer to Manchester United - as his preferred shirt number is back on the market.
United have acted on their long-standing interest in the highly-rated 25-year-old by submitting an opening offer to test the waters. Barca have rebuffed their bid of £60million but this will not deter Red Devils chiefs, who are ready to table an improved proposal in order to sign Erik ten Hag's priority target.
De Jong initially hoped to stay put at the Nou Camp but is now open to departing, with Barca aiming to raise funds from player sales to fund recruitment of their own. As talks with United gather pace, attention will turn to the finer details of De Jong's possible switch to Old Trafford, among which is the shirt number he could be given.
