Frenkie de Jong is reportedly considering his future at Barcelona, with the Netherlands international prepared to leave the club during this summer's transfer window.
The 26-year-old has again been a vital player for the Catalan giants this season, making 22 appearances in all competitions, scoring once in the process.
De Jong has a contract at Camp Nou until June 2026, meanwhile, but according to journalist Lluis Canut, the Dutchman is currently weighing up a move away at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
Erik ten Hag spent a chunk of his first transfer window as Manchester United manager chasing the midfielder, having identified him as his number one target.
However, De Jong insisted on a number of occasions that he was not interested in leaving Barcelona despite the Catalan outfit seemingly being prepared to sell due to their financial problems.
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Canut has claimed that De Jong's feelings on the situation have now changed, with the Dutchman open to seeking a summer move.
"De Jong has not given the green light, but he is no longer closing the door on leaving Barca as he did two seasons ago, when he had interest, especially from Manchester United, in going to play with the coach who had him at Ajax - Ten Hag," the journalist told Esport3.
"At the moment, De Jong is a little disappointed by the situation at Barca because he has not managed to turn the expectations that had been generated at the time when he signed into important titles. De Jong would be willing to leave Barca at the end of this season."
De Jong played under Ten Hag at Ajax for two seasons, and it is believed that the Man United manager is keen to potentially revisit a move during this summer's transfer window.
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Man United are expected to overhaul their midfield in the upcoming market, with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen potentially moving on, while Scott McTominay's future will again be up for debate.
The Red Devils are not believed to be planning to sign Sofyan Amrabat on a permanent basis from Fiorentina, meanwhile, so there could be a couple of midfield arrivals.
It has again been a turbulent campaign for Barcelona, with their head coach Xavi revealing at the end of last month that he will be standing down from his position at the end of the season.
The Catalan outfit are off the pace in La Liga, sitting third in the table, eight points behind leaders Real Madrid, while they have a tough Champions League last-16 tie with Napoli.
Whether Man United are able to compete for De Jong's signature this summer could depend on their finish in the Premier League table, with the club currently sixth, eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and six from fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the battle to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Matt Law
