Frenkie de Jong laughs off Man Utd transfer question on international duty

Frenkie de Jong refused to discuss rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United after Netherlands' 2-2 Nations League draw against Poland on Saturday evening.

The Barcelona midfielder, 25, was quizzed on his future amid reports he's heading to England. It's believed new United manager Erik ten Hag, who worked with De Jong at Ajax, has convinced him to leave Barcelona and join his Old Trafford revolution.

The Dutch coach wants De Jong to be on United's pre-season tour to Asia and Australia and has urged his employers to act quickly. United's initial £60million bid for the player was rejected by Barcelona and they are expected to make another, improved offer shortly.

"Are you leaving the Catalan beaches for the cold of Manchester?" a reporter asked De Jong on Saturday evening, to which he laughed and replied: "No... I can't say anything."

Barcelona are expected to let De Jong join United. The Catalan giants are still in significant financial trouble after reporting debts of more than £1billion last year, forcing them to release Lionel Messi. De Jong's sale would go some way to easing their woes.

Several central midfielders have emerged from Barcelona's La Masia academy in recent years, meaning they've got plenty of cover in that department. Riqui Puig, Nico Gonzalez, Gavi and Golden Boy winner Pedri have all impressed since De Jong arrived in July 2019.

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