A fresh update on the ongoing saga linking Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong with a move to Manchester United has been forthcoming on Thursday evening.
The name of Dutch international De Jong, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the headlines across the day to date.
This comes after the transfer team at Old Trafford, amid their ongoing bid to reunite new boss Erik ten Hag with his one-time midfield protegee, finally struck an agreement with their counterparts in Barcelona.
As confirmed by a host of sources, a deal worth a fee potentially set to reach €85 million is now in place between the two clubs.
Manchester United have reached full agreement with Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong, after further talks. Package worth €85m. Fee guaranteed around €75m plus add-ons. ??? #MUFC
Personal terms, still the issue to be resolved – as Frenkie’s priority is to stay at Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/aTYnV3cHkP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 14, 2022
And yet, ensuing reports in the Spanish media continue to point towards the transfer being some way off completion.
Why? The will of De Jong himself.
It is understood that the midfield maestro remains unconvinced by the prospect of a move to Old Trafford, having never wavered in his commitment to the cause in Catalunya.
As alluded to above, though, De Jong may ultimately be left with little say in the matter.
This comes with confirmation having now arrived that the powers that be at Barcelona have informed their one-time big-money purchase that they want him to leave, to link up with the aforementioned United.
It is, in turn, unclear if De Jong will travel with the rest of Xavi Hernandez’s squad for their upcoming tour of the United States, amid suggestions that the 25-year-old could be all but banished by the Blaugrana if he continues to resist the club’s efforts to part ways.
Barcelona have told Frenkie de Jong they want him to leave the club to join Manchester United, The Athletic understands.#FCB | #MUFC
More from @polballus https://t.co/GlXInXTBBE
— The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) July 14, 2022
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