Manchester United have reportedly given Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong a transfer ultimatum, with the club needing to know whether they stand a chance of signing him this summer.
The 25-year-old was again an important player for his Catalan club during the 2021-22 campaign, making 46 appearances in all competitions, contributing four goals and five assists in the process.
De Jong still has more than four years left to run on his contract at Camp Nou, but there has been a host of speculation surrounding his future over the last few weeks.
Man United head coach Erik ten Hag is believed to be desperate to sign the player that he managed at Ajax, viewing him as the ideal acquisition for his new club.
However, the club's failure to qualify for next season's Champions League could cost them the chance to bring the Netherlands international to Old Trafford.
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According to Sport, Man United are showing a firm interest in the midfielder but are still unsure whether he is open to joining the 20-time English champions in the summer market.
The report claims that the Red Devils will move on if De Jong signals that he is not interested in a switch, and the club 'need to know now' whether they have a chance of signing him.
Man United will bring at least one new midfielder to the club this summer, as both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are preparing to leave Old Trafford on free transfers.
West Ham United's Declan Rice has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the England international is likely to be priced out of a summer move, as he is said to be valued in excess of £150m by the Hammers.
De Jong has now represented Barcelona on 139 occasions since arriving from Ajax in 2019, providing 13 goals and 17 assists, but he could leave this summer due to the Catalan side's financial problems.
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"We will do what is best for the club. If the economic levers that we want to activate come off, no player will leave for economic reasons," Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently told Catalunya Radio when asked about De Jong's future.
"I insist. Let the sports management work. There are players who are quoted to have received offers. In the sports area, Xavi and Mateu Alemany rule and he ends up deciding the club's sports management. I will follow what the professionals of the club say."
Barcelona boss Xavi also recently suggested that the Dutchman could leave the club this summer for economic reasons, telling reporters: "He's an important player for me, and he started every game except for a few due to rotations. But it depends on the economic situation. For me, Frenkie could be one of the club legends."
The La Liga giants have allegedly already reinforced their midfield for next season by agreeing a deal for Franck Kessie, who is set to arrive on a free transfer from AC Milan.
However, the club are still struggling to sign teenager Gavi to a new contract, with the two parties believed to be some way apart in terms of a proposed salary for the Spaniard.
Matt Law
