Manchester United have academy options to develop their own Frenkie de Jong

Frenkie is going to Hollywood, and Manchester United won't be able to relax as they approach the 11th week of negotiating with Barcelona for their top transfer target.

United and Barcelona have already overcome the hurdle of agreeing a fee for the Dutch international, but there is still the sizeable task of actually convincing him to move to Old Trafford, particularly after he was named in their squad for the upcoming US tour.

De Jong has spoken on record about his preference to remain at 'dream' club Barcelona this summer, and there have been conflicting voices from Spain about whether or not the Catalan club really want to sell him.

READ MORE:Barcelona make pre-season squad decision on De Jong

If personal terms are ever actually agreed - and it must be said United remain confident in completing a deal - then De Jong will no doubt speak of his honour to be joining such an historic club, but the hard truth is they are not his first choice and that will bring about question marks over his commitment to the cause.

From United's point of view they have pursued a transfer for too long to simply walk away with their tail between their legs right now, but in a summer where they are trying to reinvent themselves as stern negotiators, they risk jeopardising it by letting the De Jong saga unravel even further than it has done already.

The club's desire was to get De Jong in place before the pre-season tour started so that he could be effectively integrated into the first-team squad and hit the ground running in the Premier League, but right now they'd just settle for having him signed any time before the deadline passes on September 1.

United suits don't want to be blamed for overruling Erik ten Hag in his pursuit of a reunion