Frenkie de Jong excitement shouldn't distract from Manchester United transfer priority

If even at their lowest ebb Manchester United can somehow sign Frenkie de Jong then it will be a testament to the club's seemingly unbreakable pulling power. The growing excitement around the unlikely move is palpable and completely understandable.

When it first came to light that new United boss Erik ten Hag was keen on a reunion with De Jong at Old Trafford, having identified him as the perfect player to help implement his style of football onto the side, it seemed like a pipedream. Nearly everything looked against them, even if a Barcelone departure seemed possible.

The Catalonian's continued financial peril means they have to sell in order to buy this summer and the Dutchman is one of the club's few expendable assets that would still fetch a high price. It looked plausible that Barcelona could sacrifice a player that couldn't be more moulded in the club's image just so they could get some more big, ageing stars through the doors. Even if it was against his will.

De Jong has repeatedly stated that he wants to stay at the Camp Nou, while manager Xavi has echoed the sentiment. Yet, there remained an underlying feeling that it would be out of both of their hands.

But that still didn't place United as favourites. A player of De Jong's quality would ideally like to play in the Champions League, something Ten Hag's side will not be doing this season. With neighbours Manchester City also in need of a midfielder this summer, it seemed like the deck was stacked firmly against United with the only thing going in their favour being the success De Jong enjoyed with Ten Hag at Ajax.

However, speculation has been growing louder and louder over the past week that the move may actually happen. It would be a massive statement of