Frenkie Jong appears to rule out Manchester United move after El Clasico win

The Netherlands international was believed to be Man United's leading transfer target in Erik ten Hag's first window as head coach of the 20-time English champions.

Barcelona were thought to be winning to sell the midfielder for a fee in the region of £70m due to their financial problems, and various reports claimed that the two clubs actually reached an agreement over a deal.

However, De Jong continued to insist that he was not prepared to leave Camp Nou, and he has overcome some early-season struggles in terms of game time to become a key player for Xavi's side in recent months.

The 25-year-old has made 34 appearances for Barcelona during the 2022-23 campaign, contributing two goals and one assist in the process.

De Jong played the full 90 minutes of his side's 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Sunday night, and he was again quizzed on his future in the aftermath of the contest.

When directly asked about a summer move to Man United, the midfielder said it was impossible to predict the future, but he reiterated a desire to stay at Camp Nou.

"No, I don't think so (whether he would move to Old Trafford). You never know with the future, but I am happy at Barcelona," he told reporters after the match.

""Things have changed for me since the summer. I play almost every match, and I feel good. I am a better player now than what I was when I signed for Barca."

De Jong also recently said that he wanted to stay with his current side "for many years".

"Barca has always been the club of my dreams and, therefore, I hope to be able to continue there for many more years," De Jong told TV3. "We are having a good season in La Liga, we haven't done so well in Europe, but, in general, we are moving forward."

Man United must now decide whether to enter into another potential transfer saga with De Jong this summer, or switch their attention elsewhere when it comes to a new central midfielder.

West Ham United's Declan Rice and Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham are also thought to be on the club's radar ahead of the summer market.

However, Arsenal are widely considered to be the favourites for Rice, while Real Madrid, Manchester City and Liverpool are said to be at the head of the queue for Bellingham.