Manchester United are reportedly not planning to move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong before the end of the transfer window despite the recent speculation.
The Red Devils are determined to sign a new midfielder over the next couple of weeks, and there have been claims that the club could revisit a move for De Jong.
Man United spent the majority of Erik ten Hag's first transfer window in charge of the 20-time English champions chasing De Jong, but the Netherlands international made it clear on multiple occasions that he did not want to leave Camp Nou.
Barcelona are believed to be open to letting De Jong leave this summer for financial reasons, although a move is complicated by the fact that the ex-Ajax youngster is still on the sidelines with the ankle injury that he suffered in March.
De Jong has been ruled out of Barcelona's opening match of their new La Liga campaign against Valencia on Saturday night, and new head coach Hansi Flick admitted during his press conference that he was unsure when the midfielder would return.
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Ten Hag is a known admirer of De Jong
Despite Ten Hag's admiration for De Jong, it is being reported that Man United will not be moving for the 27-year-old before the transfer window closes.
According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, there is no truth to the recent rumours, with the two clubs not in discussions over De Jong, and a switch to Old Trafford will not occur during this transfer window.
Plettenberg claims that Man United are instead focusing on signing Manuel Ugarte, with the midfielder said to be pressing to join the Red Devils.
Ugarte was not in the Paris Saint-Germain squad for their Ligue 1 opener against Le Havre on Friday evening, which Luis Enrique's side won 4-1.
Enrique has allegedly made it clear that Ugarte is not in his plans for this season, so it is difficult to imagine the Uruguay international remaining in Paris beyond the deadline.
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Which other midfielders are options for Man United?
Burnley's Sander Berge continues to be linked with a move to Man United, with the Norway international seemingly viewed as a back-up, should the Ugarte deal fall through.
As it stands, Berge appears to be the only realistic midfield arrival if Ugarte does not join, with moves for the likes of Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi seemingly off the table.
Christian Eriksen is set to leave Man United before the end of the month, while a departure for Scott McTominay cannot be ruled out.
Casemiro, though, looks set to remain at Old Trafford, with the Brazilian playing the full 90 minutes of Man United's 1-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Friday night.
Joshua Zirkzee scored the winner on his Red Devils debut against Marco Silva's side, while Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt also made their first appearances for the club in the opening match of the new Premier League campaign.
Matt Law
