Manchester United have reportedly failed with a €65m (£55m) bid for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but the Catalan club's head coach Hansi Flick is unsure whether the Dutchman will sign a new deal at Camp Nou.
The 27-year-old found it difficult to secure regular action under Flick earlier this season, but he has turned his fortunes around of late, with the Netherlands international becoming a vital player for Barcelona once again.
De Jong has made 29 appearances this season, scoring twice and registering one assist, but there remains widespread speculation surrounding his future.
According to Fichajes, Man United recently placed a €65m (£55m) offer on the table for the former Ajax youngster, but Barcelona were quick to reject it, with the Catalan outfit not prepared to let him leave at that price.
Erik ten Hag spent much of his first transfer window as Man United head coach attempting to convince De Jong to make the move to Old Trafford from Barcelona, but the midfielder ultimately remained at Camp Nou.
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Man United 'see De Jong bid rejected by Barca'
The 20-time English champions are still said to be keen on De Jong, with their current head coach Ruben Amorim looking to bring in at least one central midfielder during this summer's transfer window.
De Jong has said that his return to his best form is down to the fact that he is no longer suffering with a troublesome ankle issue, but he refused to offer an update on his future amid the ongoing speculation.
"I feel good. I'm in very good shape and I don't think about my ankle during matches anymore," De Jong told Ziggo Sport. "Let the newspapers talk about me. I've been here for a while now so I'm used to it. It can be frustrating. At some point they invented things, so I had to express myself."
De Jong's contract at Barcelona is due to expire in the summer of 2026, and Flick admitted during his press conference on Saturday that he is unsure whether the midfielder will remain with the Catalan team.
"This is down to the club and of course the player. He has improved a lot after a major injury, he was out for a long time," said Flick. "He is playing very well, he gives us a lot of options on the ball, the possession with him increases. I'm happy."
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Would De Jong be a good signing for Man United?
De Jong's ankle issue, which he suffered towards the start of last year, made it very difficult for the midfielder to show his best form, but the Dutchman has been back to his best in recent months.
The midfielder's best is a high level too, and he could be perfect for Amorim's 3-4-3 system, providing that he operates alongside an energetic player with defensive instincts, which is the role that Manuel Ugarte could fill.
Barcelona are not in a strong position due to De Jong's contract situation, and this could now be the time for Man United to sign him, but the Red Devils would surely have to win the Europa League this season, securing Champions League football for 2025-26 in the process, in order to stand a realistic chance of securing his services.
Matt Law
