Frenkie de Jong has reportedly told his Barcelona colleagues there is 'no chance' of him leaving Spain for Manchester United.
The Dutchman, 25, is one of United's main transfer targets this summer. De Jong worked under new Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax before his move to Barcelona in July 2019, winning a league and cup double during his final season in Amsterdam.
United are on the hunt for at least one new central midfielder after allowing Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic to leave the club this summer. Ten Hag is looking to rebuild the club's stuttering squad but has signed just one player so far, defender Tyrell Malacia.
United are believed to be close to bringing in Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez, yet the De Jong deal looks dead in the water. They have agreed an initial £63million transfer fee with Barcelona but are struggling to persuade the player to move to England.
Ten Hag's side cannot offer De Jong Champions League football after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season, instead qualifying for the Europa League. United haven't won a trophy since 2017, marking their most unsuccessful era for four decades.
The club's CEO Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough visited Spain earlier this week to negotiate a deal but have returned home empty handed. De Jong has been discussing his future with the club, who outlined their position on Thursday.
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Barcelona would prefer De Jong to join United - freeing up their budget - but according to Spanish newspaper Sport, the midfielder told his teammates: "It is impossible for me to leave. How am I going to leave Barcelona?"
Barcelona are still millions of euros in debt and already have plenty of central midfielders to choose from - including captain Sergio Busquets, Riqui Puig, Pedri, Nico Gonzalez, Sergi Roberto, Gavi and new signing Franck Kessie.
De Jong and his partner Mikky Kiemeney have recently purchased a house in Catalonia, while the player still believes he can play an important role in Xavi's team. The manager is also a big fan of De Jong, who's played 140 games for the club since joining.
Barcelona are considering leaving De Jong out of their pre-season tour to the US in a bid to force a transfer. The Catalan giants can't register new signing Raphinha, who scored 11 Premier League goals for Leeds last term, until they trim their budget.
"What I'm saying, there is absolutely nothing of an agreement [with United] or anything official," De Jong told reporters last month. "At the moment there is no question of it at all – not that I know of in any case.
"Or they must not have told me, but I don't think so... I prefer to stay with Barcelona. Barcelona is just my dream club. Also from a young age, I just said it, too. I've never regretted my choice despite the fact that I had hoped for more in terms of prizes than I've achieved so far. But I have never regretted my choice."
