Frenkie de Jong's girlfriend, Mikky Kiemeney, taunted Manchester United fans on her Instagram account, seeming to poke fun at the club's failed pursuit of the Dutch star last summer.
Kiemeney was asked on her Instagram account when De Jong would be making the switch to the Premier League, but she instead pointed to the club's upcoming Europa League date with Barcelona on February 23.
De Jong was Erik ten Hag's prime target in last summer's transfer window, with the former Ajax boss keen to reunite with one of his former charges.
However, despite protracted negotiations and talks, the deal never materialised, with the player keen to remain at the Nou Camp - despite his club seemingly prepared to part with their star.
And although the club are still thought to be interested in the player, Kiemeney's jibe could suggest that any move still remains a remote possibility for De Jong and those close to him.
In an Instagram Q&A, Kiemeney welcomed questions from her 1.5million followers, with one taking the opportunity to ask for any information on the continuing transfer saga surrounding her partner.
They asked: 'When's Frenkie coming to Manchester?'
But in response, Kiemeney posted a picture of Barcelona's fixture list, including the upcoming Europa League play-off clash between the clubs, who are set to face off later in February, adding: '23/2 I guess.'
De Jong has since become a key component of Xavi's LaLiga-leading side, and United fans will at last get the chance to see him at Old Trafford - but in the famous red and blue of Barca rather than in their own colours.
In missing out on their top target last summer, United instead signed Casemiro from Real Madrid for £70m, with the Brazilian quickly becoming a mainstay in Ten Hag's side.
But despite the arrival of Casemiro - who would likely occupy a similar position to De Jong - the Red Devils have retained their interest in the Dutch star.
And it would appear that De Jong is at last coming round to the idea of a switch himself, as per reports in Spain.
Fichajes reported in January that De Jong has had conversations over the phone with the United boss where he declared his desire to move to the Red Devils.
The move looked unlikely to come to fruition after De Jong said at a press conference in the summer: 'Chelsea and Man United interest? I already decided in May that I wanted to stay at Barcelona. I never changed this decision during the summer.'
But the club are in an entirely different position going into the summer window in comparison with last year, amid an unlikely title charge this term.
As a result, the chance to leave an infamously cash-strapped Barca to join a club looking to be on the up and play under his former coach could prove a far better option for the player this summer than it did in the last.
