Frenkie de Jong disagreement will prove how much Manchester United have really changed

Manchester United have found their main man in the summer transfer window. There's just one problem: he still plays for Barcelona.

It is now five-and-a-half weeks since news of United's interest in Frenkie de Jong was made public, the same night the club celebrated a triumph in the FA Youth Cup, a taste of the silverware they hope the Dutchman can bring to Old Trafford in the years ahead.

Erik ten Hag has identified De Jong, 25, as an ideal target, having coached him at Ajax, and the clubs remain in talks over a deal, with both parties holding firm on their valuation of the player.

Barcelona are looking to get as much money as possible for a first-team player who is contracted until 2026, while United are adamant that they won't overpay and will only complete a deal if it remains value for money from their point of view.

At least one of the clubs will need to make a compromise and shift their stubbornness. Which side that is going to be will be a real test of United's transfer resolve.

If they continue to be frustrated by Barcelona's valuation of De Jong, which sources in Spain suggest could be as high as €100m, then United insist they are willing to move on to other targets and it is understood they have held talks with the representatives of potential alternatives.

It seems like a similar situation to United's failed pursuit of Jadon Sancho back in 2020, with the club refusing to meet Borussia Dortmund's £108m demand for the right winger and the club eventually backing down from a deal.

Despite signing Amad and Facundo Pellistri to address their right wing issues, United retained an interest in Sancho and pounced on a £73m deal last summer, in effect saving £35m as a reward for their patience.

When Ed Woodward