Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong have reportedly entered talks over a new contract after the Dutchman decided that he wanted to stay at Camp Nou.
The former Ajax man has long been linked with a transfer to Manchester United, whose former boss Erik ten Hag relentlessly - and without success - pursued a reunion in the summer of 2022.
The Red Devils' interest has not gone away since Ruben Amorim took charge, though, and it was recently reported that they had a £55m offer turned down by their Spanish counterparts.
At the same time, Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick could not guarantee that De Jong would stay at Barcelona, where the Netherlands international has only started four La Liga games and four Champions League games this season.
De Jong's lack of game time under Flick has naturally raised speculation over his future, and given he is only under contract until the summer of 2026, a sale this year would likely be their last chance to recoup a portion of the £71.9m they paid for him if he chooses not to extend.
De Jong 'in talks' over new Barcelona deal
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However, The Athletic claims that the Dutchman is indeed keen to stay at Camp Nou and is now in discussions with the club's hierarchy over an extension to his current agreement.
The report adds that Barcelona do not want to enter the 2025-26 season with any players in the final year of their contracts, and negotiations with De Jong's camp have finally started, over a year on from when they first made a proposal to his entourage.
La Blaugrana allegedly made their first offer of a renewal to the 27-year-old in early 2024, only to receive no response, but De Jong is "very happy" at Barcelona, where he and his family are settled.
Both parties are yet to reach a breakthrough in contract negotiations, but even though De Jong has felt "mistreated" at times by the club, the midfielder is confident that he can fulfil his ambitions of winning silverware at Camp Nou.
De Jong has 19 goals and 22 assists under his belt from 242 previous appearances for La Blaugrana, although he has only managed two goals and one assist from 29 matches in the current campaign.
What De Jong alternatives can Man United target?
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As Man United may finally be forced to concede defeat in their long-running pursuit of De Jong, Amorim will have to look elsewhere for his summer midfield rebuild, where Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo could both be moved on.
In recent days, it has been reported that the Red Devils are pursuing a surprise move for Borussia Dortmund's £40m-rated Felix Nmecha, who was once on the books at Manchester City before heading to the Bundesliga.
Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff is also said to be on the radar of the 20-time English champions, who were apparently keen to sign the midfielder in 2019 but failed to meet the Magpies' £50m asking price.
Dropping down the divisions, Man United have been tipped to sign three promising midfielders from the Championship, including starlets from Sunderland and Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough.
Ben Knapton
