Erik ten Hag has been handed a familiar boost in his long-running pursuit of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
The Manchester United manager made De Jong, 25, his top transfer target last summer but ultimately failed in a move, despite the two European heavyweights coming to a £56million agreement in July. Disappointingly for Ten Hag, the midfielder - who starred in Thursday's gritty 1-0 victory over archenemies Real Madrid - dug his heels in to stay at "dream club" Barcelona, even though the LaLiga giants made him feel unwanted and hoped that his sale would help remedy their well-documented financial woes.
Nearly a year on from when reports first emerged that De Jong was being targeted by his former boss at Ajax, Barca's situation hasn't changed and they're still in desperate need of cash. Camp Nou chiefs have been told they won't be able to sign any new players this summer and must raise £178m; a boost to Ten Hag, who recently laid out his six-man transfer shortlist.
