Frenkie de Jong is unlikely to join Manchester United in the January transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Lowdown: De Jong constantly linked with move
The Dutchman has been endlessly linked with a move to Old Trafford this year, with his future at Barcelona continuing to look unclear.
For now, De Jong appears to be happy at the La Liga club, but while his current deal there doesn't expire until the summer of 2026, they could be willing to sell before then.
Erik ten Hag is likely to be looking at further midfield reinforcements, as he aims to rebuild an area of the pitch that has been weak in recent seasons.
The Latest: Romano's comments
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Romano admitted that a January switch won't happen for United but failed to rule out a summer transfer coming to fruition:
"For January, I think it is almost impossible, but for the summer it depends on the player, because Frenkie de Jong has always said no to any move, it’s not just to Manchester United, he decided to stay at Barcelona, he’s happy at Barcelona, if Frenkie changes his mind, then we will see."
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The Verdict: Superb potential signing
It certainly feels as though De Jong is still a genuine target for United and could be a fantastic addition to the midfield, having been described as an 'extraordinary' player by Barcelona manager Xavi.
At 25, the Netherlands international should be coming into his peak years and he could be a long-term fixture in the middle of the park, unlike 30-year-old pair Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Not only is De Jong a metronomic presence with the ball at his feet, enjoying an 89.3% pass completion rate at the 2022 World Cup currently, but he is also averaging 4.5 tackles per game, highlighting what an all-round presence he could be in United's midfield.