Xavi 'endorses' Frenkie de Jong move amid Manchester United interest and more rumours

Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a boost in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong after Barcelona boss Xavi 'endorsed' a move amid interest from Old Trafford.

United are eager to improve their midfield this summer and the former Ajax midfielder has been identified as a target for incoming manager Erik ten Hag. De Jong was instrumental in the 52-year-old's Ajax side that made the Champions League semi-final in 2019; they overcame Juventus and Real Madrid on course to the final four where they were dramatically beaten by Tottenham.

Spanish media outlet Deportes Cuatro claims that Xavi has endorsed the sale of De Jong because he wants to refresh his midfield. The 25-year-old is said be worth in the region of £75m.

The Manchester Evening News understands United have contacted the Camp Nou side about the Holland midfielder's potential availability. There were previous rumours suggesting De Jong could leave in January after falling out of favour with Xavi but a move never materialised and he has found himself in the thick of Barcelona's push for Europe.

Meanwhile, Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has failed to rule out a second loan spell for Reds loanee Amad Diallo. The Ivorian found the back of the net in Rangers' 4-1 win over Ross County.

When asked about the possibility of another season in Glasgow for Amad, the Dutch tactician remained coy. He said: "His loan is to the end of the season, then he goes back to Manchester — If he’s here next season, I don’t know."