Although Barcelona are aware of Manchester United’s interest in Frenkie de Jong, the midfielder is willing to stay and battle for his spot with the La Liga giants.

Erik ten Hag, who coached de Jong at Ajax before his move to the Camp Nou in 2019, has identified the Dutchman as a midfield target ahead of his arrival at Old Trafford.

Given Barcelona’s recent financial difficulties and the development of local midfield players Gavi and Pedri, speculations believe the Catalan giants will want to sell de Jong this summer to fund new acquisitions.

United are reportedly considering a £75 million bid, preliminary talks are underway, implying that Barcelona will not sell for less than €100 million (£85 million).

Ten Hag sees de Jong as an excellent signing to commemorate his arrival in Manchester and believes his former player can lead his new-look United team, according to a news publication.

Nonetheless, the midfielder remains committed to Xavi’s objectives at the Camp Nou.

While he does not wish to go, de Jong is claimed to be aware of the club’s financial difficulties.

This summer, Ten Hag is expected to oversee major changes at United, with as many as ten players expected to depart Old Trafford.

With the exits of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, United’s already limited choices in the middle of the park are poised to be even more limited.

Matic has already stated his intention to quit Manchester United when his contract expires at the end of the season, waving farewell to the Old Trafford faithful in last week’s 3-0 triumph over Brentford.

Pogba’s contract expires in June, and the Frenchman is thought to prefer a return to Juventus.