Transfer deja vu! Man Utd enquire about cut-price deal for Frenkie de Jong as they reignite long-standing interest in Barcelona midfielder

According to Manchester World, the Red Devils have 'approached' the Blaugrana about signing the 27-year-old. United tried and failed to bring the Netherlands international to Old Trafford two years ago, and before he left Ajax for the Catalan outfit in 2019, and now they are reportedly keen on finally getting this deal over the line for a fee in the region of £30-40 million ($38m-50.8m).

United's efforts to strengthen their midfield have not gone to plan this summer. Paris Saint-Germain beat them to Joao Neves, their attempts to sign the French side's Manuel Ugarte are not progressing, and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is a pipe dream at present. The Red Devils still admire De Jong but whether Barca would let him leave is another matter entirely.

Since De Jong swapped Ajax for Barcelona in 2019 for £65.3m ($83m), the midfielder - whose contract runs until 2026 - has made 213 appearances and scored 17 goals in the process. In that time, he has won one La Liga title, one Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana in a period where Barca have not been a dominant force domestically, nor in Europe.

While United may or may not pursue this transfer interest further, they take on Manchester City in the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday whereas Barcelona are next in action on Monday against Monaco in a pre-season friendly.