Manchester United have made a breakthrough in their bid to sign Frenkie de Jong, with an initial fee now agreed with Barcelona, sources have told ESPN.

United are set to pay €65 million up front for the midfielder, who is manager Erik ten Hag’s top summer target.

Performance-based add-ons, which could take the cost above €80m, are still to be agreed, as well as the player’s personal terms, and sources close to negotiations have told ESPN the deal is not yet done and that there are still “significant” hurdles to overcome.

However, there is now increasing confidence at both Old Trafford and Camp Nou that an agreement can be wrapped up to make De Jong the first signing of Ten Hag’s reign at United.

The Netherlands international is Ten Hag’s key transfer target. There is hope he could be on the plane when the squad depart for their tour of Thailand and Australia on July 8.