Frenkie de Jong knows Manchester United won't repeat experiment Barcelona carried out with him

Patience might be wearing thin over Manchester United's protracted negotiations to secure their first summer signing, though it might not be long before Frenkie allows them to relax.

United are understood to have made 'positive progress' in regards to a deal for Frenkie de Jong, but club sources continue to urge caution, warning that there is "still significant complexity to work through".

In the modern world of football, many supporters feel well-versed in how transfer dealings work, such is the relative ease of negotiations on their favoured video game. Real-world transfers include far more red tape and complex financial implications than meet the eye.

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Still, both United and Barcelona are hopeful of reaching an agreement for the 25-year-old and other sources have suggested it still remains a case of 'when' rather than 'if' a deal takes place this summer.

No matter when United might have signed De Jong earlier in the window, he still wouldn't be due back at Old Trafford yet given his holiday entitlement following his international commitments.

It doesn't really matter too much when a transfer is precisely completed as long as he is integrated at the beginning of the pre-season schedule rather than at the end, though Erik ten Hag will be hoping to have him available as early as his first game in charge.

The off-season will give the new United manager plenty of time to experiment with his side, but given their time together at Ajax, he is already well aware of how best to use De Jong.

There has been a suggestion among some fans that the Dutchman could be utilised in an advanced midfield position, though Ten Hag has already shot down such an idea.