Manchester United Target Frenkie De Jong 'Refuses' To Leave Barcelona

Manchester United's pursuit of Frenkie de Jong might not be as close as expected, with the midfielder reportedly still refusing to leave Barcelona.

De Jong has been Erik ten Hag's number one priority signing since he arrived at the club the day after the previous season finished last month.

Whilst all the clubs around them seem to have strengthened already, United's attempts to bring anyone else in have been slowed by the lack of movement on De Jong.

The midfielder has looked closer to the transfer in recent days, with Barca even having a deadline of June 30th, in order to help balance their books better.

However, despite the two clubs being close to a deal, Spanish outlet SPORT claim that De Jong still has no interest in leaving the Nou Camp.

The report claims that the player has told both Barcelona and United that he's no interest in going and, no matter how much pressure is put on, he wants to succeed at Barca.

De Jong doesn't want to leave Barcelona. Image: Alamy

Things have apparently got so back with the former Ajax player being 'forced' out of the Spanish giants that he's begun having problems with his agent.

Ali Dursun's 'insistence' on the 25-year-old moving to Old Trafford has not gone down well with the agent's client, and De Jong doesn't like anyone pushing him out of the door.

Whilst he might not like it, the Netherlands midfielder has reportedly been available for sale from Xavi's team for quite a while now.

He was first linked with a move away back in December last year, with claims that the club could sell him to make up some much needed funds.

With his talent and age still making him a sellable asset, he hasn't quite lived up to expectations since his move from Ajax in 2019.

On top of that, the emergence of young talent in Pedri and Gavi has made De Jong less important in Xavi's midfield.

Gavi and Pedri are the future for Barcelona. Image: Alamy

It would be a bit of a disaster for Ten Hag if he can't land his number one target, especially as far as the club's public image is concerned, and it's already pretty low considering recent years.

Spending so long on the player only to not land him would be rather embarrassing, even if they then do manage to sign Christian Eriksen.

The club are on the verge of making their first move of the summer, with Feyenoord left back Tyrell Malacia looking like the first player to join Ten Hag's team.

Malacia was looking likely to move to Lyon but the Premier League club have snuck in ahead of the French side, and his highlight reel shows why.

Fans will also be excited by the new manager working with young players in his first week training the team, but they still won't be fully satisfied unless De Jong is signed.