Frenkie de Jong's summer transfer saga has kept the footballing world on the edge of its seat.
Seemingly happy to represent Barcelona for the rest of his career when the window first opened, De Jong is now effectively being forced out so the Catalan club can free up cash to pay for other players.
De Jong has been digging his heels in and is determined to ride out this wave and remain a Barcelona player when the window slams shut. But the Dutchman isn't getting things his own way, with Xavi starting to play him out of position in defence, and even telling the press he sees his future at centre-back, seemingly in a bid to convince the midfielder it's time to leave.
De Jong's future being taken out of his hands, despite the fact he has a contract at Barcelona until 2026, is particularly unfair on the Dutchman given his desire to stay and his admission that it was a "dream" to join the Catalan club when he did back in 2019.
"I'm very excited about signing for Barca. I was very happy when I took the decision. I celebrated with my family, but not too much because we're still halfway through the season with Ajax. But I'm very happy," De Jong said at the time.
"I've always dreamed about playing for Barca since I was little. I like the players and the club. It's the team of my dreams. I want to be an important player for Barcelona and win many trophies."
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Manchester United are understandably keen to snap up De Jong, given his quality and relationship with Erik ten Hag, which could result in an instant Old Trafford success story.
But De Jong isn't convinced a move to Man United would be sensible at this point in his career, especially as the Red Devils cannot offer him Champions League football next season - Cristiano Ronaldo's main reason for wanting to leave.
That said, Barcelona are showing no signs that they're ready to change their mind and give in to the midfielder and as a result, De Jong has, according to Spanish publication Sport, U-turned on his decision to leave should a good offer come in for him.
Unfortunately for United, though, De Jong has set his sights on another Premier League club in Chelsea, who, unlike the Red Devils, can offer him Champions League football next season.
The only issue for De Jong is that Chelsea are yet to show any real interest in the Dutchman and it's unlikely they will make a concrete bid for him in this summer's transfer window.
