De Jong returned for pre-season with Barcelona on Monday as the speculation over his future at the club reached fever pitch.
Richard Arnold and John Murtough, the CEO and the director of football for Manchester United, respectively, are in Barcelona for talks with the hierarchy over signing the Dutchman.
De Jong would prefer to stay at Barcelona but the club are keen to move him on in the ongoing transfer window.
According to Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, the Barcelona hierarchy met the player on Monday to stress the importance of his sale.
The Catalan giants made it clear that despite his quality as a player, the club want to sell him this summer for financial reasons.
De Jong’s departure would free up €30m in gross salary on their wage bill and allow Barcelona to reinvest in the squad.
Barcelona stressed if he is to stay the midfielder would have to accept a significant pay cut, but the 25-year-old is not ready for that.
Manchester United have a deal in place for a fee of €85m with Barcelona and are now trying to convince De Jong.
Barcelona also owe around €20m to the player in deferred wages, which has also blocked the negotiations.
