Manchester United's primary summer transfer target Frenkie de Jong has been unwinding with fellow Holland international Memphis Depay ahead of Barcelona's pre-season tour of the US.
Whilst the rest of the footballing world is awaiting the outcome of United's most recent bid, de Jong took to Instagram to share a video of the pair diving into the sea, whilst United flop Depay posted a photo of the pair relaxing on his twitter.
But despite his social media posts, there is nothing relaxed about his immediate future amid an ongoing stand-off with Barcelona over the Premier League side's latest approach.
The Red Devils have agreed a £63million fee with Barcelona for their No.1 summer transfer target, which could rise by another £8.5m in add-ons.
The sale of De Jong will give Barcelona a huge financial boost in their bid to get the go-ahead from La Liga to sign and register new players but the 25-year-old Dutch international does not want to leave the club.
Barca have told him they cannot pay him the money his contract stipulates he should earn next season.
However, De Jong is owed £17m in deferred wages by Barca, and United believe that’s the reason for the hold-up rather than any reluctance on the player’s part to move to England and are considering leaving him out of their upcoming tour.
Barcelona know any threats of freezing him out of the pre-season tour could leave them open to accusations of illegally denying an employee the right to do his job.
Barcelona set off for the US on Saturday with games against Inter Miami, New York Red Bull, Juventus and Real Madrid lined up.
It’s understood that United won’t give up the chase for the 25-year-old midfielder even if takes until after the new season starts. The transfer window closes on September 1.
United accept there may come a point when they will have to accept defeat over signing De Jong and have a number of alternatives in mind, including Ruben Neves of Wolves.
Wolves are willing to sell the Portugal midfielder this summer, and have put a £70m price on his services, which no club has yet been prepared to pay.
Pabloescobar20
220
Manchester United waiting for De Jong😂😂😂
Bashir♡TK
81
I think am not the only one who don't want De Jong to join us again I believe we should focus on this guy and with time we get our De Jong for the next 5 years.