Barcelona 'yet to receive official Frenkie de Jong bid from Manchester United'

The former Ajax man continues to be strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford following the arrival of ex-Amsterdam mentor Erik ten Hag in the hotseat.

De Jong has remained an integral part of the Barcelona XI since Xavi took the reins from Ronald Koeman, though, and he remains under contract at Barcelona until 2026.

Nevertheless, Man United are believed to have identified the 25-year-old as their leading midfield target for the summer window after he reached the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals under Ten Hag at Ajax.

A recent report claimed that Man United were "close" to reaching an agreement with Barcelona over a fee for De Jong, who would likely cost the Red Devils €80m (£68.3m).

However, Sport now adds that the 20-time English champions are yet to approach La Blaugrana with an official offer for De Jong, even though the Catalan giants are open to discussing a sale.

Furthermore, the Red Devils' lack of Champions League football has also complicated negotiations with De Jong, who has publicly stated his desire to remain at Barcelona.

"I will not go into that [the links to United]. Not even about other names or clubs. I used to be naive and open-minded about it," De Jong told reporters while on international duty.

"I don't do that anymore. I understand that that link is made. That sum is not that difficult, it is logical. I have enjoyed working with Ten Hag at Ajax - and I can't look into the future, of course. But I prefer to stay at Barcelona."

De Jong has totalled 13 goals and 17 assists in 139 appearances for Barcelona since his £77.4m arrival in 2019, winning one Copa del Rey at the club so far.

The Netherlands international scored four goals and set up five more in 46 outings for Barcelona in the 2021-22 campaign, starting 30 games in La Liga despite competition from Gavi and Pedri.

Xavi's midfield ranks are set to be bolstered either way with the arrival of Franck Kessie from AC Milan on a free transfer, while Man United have already lost four midfielders over the past couple of weeks.

Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard will all officially leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the month, joining Lee Grant and Edinson Cavani out of the exit door.

As well as De Jong, Man United are also rumoured to be keeping tabs on Christian Eriksen and had scouts in attendance to watch the Brentford man in action in Denmark's Nations League win over Austria on Monday night.

De Jong and the Netherlands will next be in Nations League action when they travel to Cardiff to face Wales in League A Group 4 on Wednesday evening.