Barcelona have all but given up hope of signing Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with Manchester City prepared to break their club transfer record to land the Netherlands international, Goal understands.
City believe they are well placed to sign the highly rated 21-year-old next summer following months of talks between sporting director Txiki Begiristain and his Ajax counterpart Marc Overmars.
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The Blues would be willing to strike a deal in the coming months and leave the youngster on loan at Ajax until the end of the season, as they are aware that Barca and several other leading European clubs are keen admirers.