Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has once again shut down rumours of a potential move to Premier League club Manchester United.

The Red Devils made De Jong their top transfer target last summer but failed to convince the Dutch international to make the move.

Barcelona did accept a bid from United for the player, but personal terms proved to be a huge stumbling block.

United boss Erik ten Hag managed De Jong at Ajax and clearly remains a big fan of the midfielder.

After missing out on him, the Red Devils brought in Casemiro from Real Madrid, which has proved to be one of the signings of the season, even if he is currently absent with his third suspension of the campaign.

A new midfielder remains a top priority for Ten Hag headed into the summer transfer window.

Unsurprisingly, there are reports that the Premier League giants will once again pursue De Jong, even if he has no intention to leave Barcelona.

However, United previously tried to sign the 25-year-old without the pull of Champions League football, having just endured a woeful 2021-22 campaign.

They are likely to be in Europe’s premier competition next season and are in a much better place than they were this time last year.

Ten Hag has turned the club around, guiding the Red Devils to Carabao Cup glory, while they remain in the FA Cup and Europa League.

United’s incredible progress under the Dutch manager may convince his former player that Old Trafford is the place for him to ply his trade.

That is what the club’s supporters will hope, anyway.

This does seem unlikely given what De Jong has said over the last few weeks, however.

Earlier this month, the Netherlands international shut down talk of a move to Old Trafford, stating that he wants to play for Barcelona “for many more years”.

And De Jong has once again given a clear indication that he sees his future in Catalonia.

After Barca’s 2-1 El Clasico win over Real Madrid, the 25-year-old was asked by Ziggo Sport: “You won’t join Manchester United in the summer, correct?”

He responded: “No, I don’t think so. You never know of course. But I’m very happy in Barcelona.”

United are also keen on Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, but know they are not one of the favourites to land him at this moment in time.

Another midfielder the Premier League club have been linked with is Celta Vigo sensation Gabri Veiga.

There are a host of European clubs reportedly tracking the 20-year-old, including Arsenal, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Barca.

According to ESPN, Liverpool and United are ‘closely monitoring’ Veiga ahead of the summer window.

The report claims that Leeds United and Bournemouth tried to sign the player in January.

Liverpool have ‘commissioned reports on both Veiga’s sporting and personal life’, while the Red Devils have added him to their midfield ‘wishlist’.

Veiga has a €40million release clause, making him a very desirable player, with the battle to sign him expected to be fierce.

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The article ‘You never know’: Ten Hag favourite De Jong reveals stance on Manchester United transfer appeared first on Football365.com.