Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, heavily linked with a move to Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United this summer, has finally broken his silence on the rumoured transfer.

During a press conference on Sunday, the 25-year-old Dutchman was asked whether he would trade the warm beaches of Catalonia for the cold of Manchester.

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“No— I think— Well—,” began de Jong, before bursting into laughter and saying, “I can’t, I can’t say anything.”

While the Dutchman’s rather ambiguous response is not exactly a nod to either side, it does indicate a lack of willingness to move to Manchester.

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While de Jong has had a history of working with ten Hag at Ajax, and although the two are reportedly on very good terms, the 25-year-old’s rumoured move to United has not transpired as per the Red Devils’ wishes.

With United also being linked with a move for Benfica striker and Liverpool target Darwin Nunez, it had been reported by several media outlets that ten Hag was prioritising the transfer of a midfielder, with all reports pointing towards a move for de Jong.

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Reports also suggest that United had their opening bid for the Dutchman, believed to be in the ballpark of  €60 million (£51.2 million) plus €10 million (£8.5 million) in add-ons, rejected, putting dents in the club’s hope for their first major summer signing.

To make matters worse for the Red Devils, Sky Sports on Sunday reported that while talks between Barcelona and United were still ongoing, ten Hag and co are willing to “walk away” from a deal for de Jong if cash-strapped Barcelona are unwilling to agree on a “reasonable fee” for the midfielder.