With Frenkie de Jong being regarded as “untouchable” at Barcelona, Manchester United’s fading prospects of signing him appear to be over.
The Netherlands international appeared destined to join his countryman Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford for the majority of the summer window. The former Ajax star was the new United manager’s top priority, and he hoped to center his plan to transform the team around him.
During that time, Barcelona were happy to cash in on De Jong and agreed an €85m fee with United.
However, despite the Blaugrana being keen to complete a deal, issues around a wage deferral proved a stumbling block too steep to clear.
United turned their attention to De Jong’s LaLiga rival Casemiro, with the Brazilian signing in a blockbuster transfer of his own.
The former Real Madrid midfielder has quickly established himself as the heartbeat of Ten Hag’s side, building an effective partnership with Christian Eriksen.
But there is a feeling that ten Hag wants a younger midfield player to complement the experienced options now at his disposal.
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Manchester Evening Newslast week reported that De Jong had given assurances to the United boss that he was happy to make the switch, in contrast to his own public stance.
However, the chances of their interest being rekindled in the imminent January window now appear bleak, with Barca hierarchy unwilling to listen to any offers.
Spanish news outlet SPORT claim that Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff has declared the 25-year-old as an ‘untouchable’ part of their squad.
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