Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong might have put a dent in their ambitions after being the one of the first international players to return to training at Barcelona this summer.
The Netherlands ace is the top priority at Old Trafford as they look to sign a top-class midfielder after losing Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard. It leaves just Fred, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek as the central midfield options at the club.
Talks have been going on behind the scenes with Barcelona over the course of the summer and both sides are close to agreeing a deal. However, it remains to be seen whether De Jong is keen on a move to Old Trafford and drop into the Europa League as a result.
The 25-year-old loves playing for the Blaugrana and does not want to drop his wages yet United are still hopeful that he will sign this summer. According to Diario Sport, De Jong was the first to turn up to training this pre-season for Barca.
It adds to the theory that De Jong is keen to get back underway with Barcelona and does not want to leave. However, the fact that the Red Devils are still at the negotiation table means that there must be some level of mutual interest in getting a transfer complete this summer.
One major obstacle is his current pay packet at the Nou Camp where the Dutchman is still owed around £17million in wages. De Jong agreed to defer his wages amid the coronavirus pandemic but has yet to see a penny since.
It means that any transfer talks have been held up as a result despite a broad agreement over a fee with the Spanish club. The two European giants have largely agreed to an up-front fee of £55m with £17m in add-ons, taking the total deal to £72m.
While the De Jong transfer saga plods on slowly, there is light at the end of the tunnel over the arrival of Christian Eriksen, who has agreed a three-year contract. The Denmark international is set to sign on a free transfer after his Brentford contract expired at the end of the season.
United face Liverpool this week in Thailand but Eriksen is not expected to join before the club travel to Australia where he could be presented prior to the friendly against Melbourne Victory. The former Tottenham star would become the second signing of Ten Hag's era after Tyrell Malacia joined from Feyenoord.
