Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong has given an awkward response when asked about trading the beaches of Barcelona for the cold of England.
The Dutch midfield maestro is in the midst of a transfer tussle with cash-strapped Barca in need of money and Erik ten Hag desperate to reunite with his former Ajax star.
talkSPORT sources understand that the Red Devils are increasingly confident of landing De Jong, as well as Ajax’s Antony.
The 25-year-old starred for Ten Hag in Amsterdam, playing a key role as Ajax narrowly missed out on the 2019 Champions League final after an epic run, and he then clinched a move to Spain.
However, the £77million signing has seen his game time limited by star academy graduates Pedri, Gavi and Nico, and is now Barca’s best chance of raising funds.
And with the Old Trafford links similarly making headlines abroad, De Jong was asked about the move by a cheeky reporter.
Following the Netherlands 2-2 Nations League draw with Poland, a Spanish journalist asked, “Are you going from the beaches of Catalunya to the cold of Manchester?”
The question drew a laugh from De Jong, who replied: “No, I think I can’t say anything yet.”
The reaction prompts a stark contrast to the midfielder’s comments just weeks ago when he left Barcelona to join up with Louis van Gaal’s Oranje.
Asked about the potential of reuniting with Ten Hag on May 31, De Jong said: “I feel good in Barcelona. I want to stay at Barca.
“I’ve said it before. Barca has been the club of my dreams since I was little. The Barca leaders haven’t told me anything.
“They haven’t told me to propose anything, so I understand there is no operation going on. Maybe something has changed since that day.”
Despite the smiles post-match, De Jong was lucky to be taking part in the media duties at all after riding a nasty challenge from former West Brom man Grzegorz Krychowiak, of which he said ‘should have been a red card’.
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