De Jong, 21, has impressed for Ajax and can play in a number of roles

Manchester City have made Frenkie de Jong one of their top transfer targets and are ready to rival Barcelona and Real Madrid for the signature of the Ajax midfielder who could cost a club record fee of more than £65 million.

Pep Guardiola is an admirer of De Jong and his scouting team have watched the 21-year-old extensively over the past two years.

De Jong is regarded as one of the most exciting talents in the Dutch game. He has played more than 50 times for Ajax since joining from Willem II two years ago and has three Holland caps.

Marc Overmars, the Ajax sporting director, insisted recently that De Jong would not be sold “even for an insane amount of money” but City are