Erik ten Hag wants to reunite with Frenkie de Jong at Manchester United - a simple goal on paper but one that is proving far more difficult than it might have been had United not slumped to a dismal sixth-place finish last season.
With United not in the Champions League and Barcelona being De Jong's dream club, United are finding it hard to complete the deal despite the Catalan side's willingness to sell due to their financial issues. And there might be another spanner ready to be thrown into the works.
Xavi likes De Jong, but if he is forced to let him leave, he'll no doubt want to source a replacement. Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen are waiting to be registered but reports in Spain suggest that Xavi wants Manchester City's Bernardo Silva as a direct replacement for De Jong.
READ MORE: Manchester United can be creative with Frenkie de Jong deal in transfer market
Pep Guardiola has already responded to reports of Barcelona wanting to sign Bernardo, saying: “They will have a difficult time." And if Barcelona are unable to convince City to sell, this could have a knock-on effect on United's pursuit of De Jong.
Bernardo has been in great form this season, scoring 13 goals and registering eight assists in all competitions. His form was crucial to City retaining their Premier League crown as he stepped up while Kevin De Bruyne was injured and struggling for his best form early in the campaign.
And of course, United fans are fearful that this situation could lead to a swap deal where Bernardo goes to sunny Barcelona and De Jong moves to the only club in Manchester who can offer him Champions League football next season.
United will likely have alternatives to De Jong, given that finding a midfield who can impact the game in possession seems to be priority number one under Ten Hag. Christian Eriksen has also been linked with a move to United, but given Tottenham Hotspur are also interested it seems he will likely choose a return that guarantees him Champions League football next term.
Overall, De Jong would be a significant coup for United and fans are hoping that his former manager will be able to convince him that the club will be going in the right direction under his management. However, if it does fall through, the club must have a plan B to stop them from falling into the same traps they've stumbled into too many times in recent years.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
