Manchester United have reportedly not completely thrown in the towel in their lengthy pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is still on the Red Devils' radar for future windows.
Speculation surrounding a potential move to Old Trafford for the 25-year-old dominated the talk of the transfer market for weeks on end as Erik ten Hag sought a reunion with his former Ajax protege.
Negotiations with Barcelona proved difficult, but Man United had allegedly agreed a fee with the Catalan giants in the region of £72m before failing to agree personal terms with De Jong.
The Netherlands international frequently talked up his desire to remain at Barcelona, who will be competing in the Champions League this season while Man United settle for Europa League football.
The issue of De Jong's £15.2m deferred wages also complicated matters, and Man United ultimately switched their attention to Casemiro, signing the Brazil international from Real Madrid in a £70m deal.
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Chelsea have also been tipped to make a move for the former Ajax starlet, who added fuel to the fire surrounding a Premier League switch when he was pictured boarding a plane to London earlier this week.
However, De Jong is only understood to be arriving in the UK as part of his time off, with any switch away from Camp Nou unlikely in the last knockings of the summer window.
Despite admitting defeat in their pursuit of the midfielder this time around, Goal reports that Man United still retain an interest in De Jong and could try again for his signature in the future.
De Jong has contributed 13 goals and 18 assists in 143 outings for La Blaugrana in all competitions since 2019, but he has only started one of Barcelona's three La Liga games so far this season.
The Dutchman was brought on just after the hour mark in Sunday's 4-0 thumping of Real Valladolid, with Gavi and Pedri preferred alongside Sergio Busquets in the middle of the park.
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Xavi also has Franck Kessie and Sergi Roberto capable of featuring in the engine room, while Miralem Pjanic is hoping to be handed a lifeline at Camp Nou in the coming months.
After completing early deals for Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen, Man United's transfer business turned relatively quiet before Casemiro's capture was confirmed.
Ten Hag will be reuniting with one ex-Ajax star in Antony, who is confirmed to be heading to Old Trafford in a deal that will cost the 20-time English champions as much as £85m.
Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is also poised to join the Red Devils on loan to provide backup and competition to David de Gea, and Ten Hag does not expect any more incomings following the Slovakian's arrival.
With Man United's transfer business all but finished, there is now an expectation that wantaway attacker Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at the club after failing to force a move away.
Man United will aim to pick up their third Premier League win on the bounce when they travel to the King Power Stadium to meet Leicester City on Thursday evening.
Ben Knapton
