Frenkie de Jong has confirmed he weighed up a move to Manchester United in 2022, but ultimately decided to remain at Barcelona. The midfielder said Barcelona were willing to sell and United were prepared to buy, yet it was De Jong who halted the transfer.

On the decision he told The Guardian: “Of course, it’s crossed your mind at times, like, ‘O.K., what should I do?’”

Manchester United, recognizing the need for a deep-lying midfielder to make Erik ten Hag’s system function, shifted their focus to Casemiro when a deal for De Jong did not materialize.

Casemiro’s time at Old Trafford has been mixed. He enjoyed an excellent debut season before encountering a loss of form and falling out of favour after the arrival of Ruben Amorim, whose 3-4-2-1 formation would likely have created the same issues for De Jong.

Yet Casemiro later recovered his form and, the club have said, he has been among the primary reasons for United’s resurgence in the second half of the current campaign.

On his future, De Jong added: “So as long as I’m good enough to be a starter here, to make an impact and Barcelona is at the level I want to play at—with the sense that they’ll be competing for the major trophies—then there’s no reason for me to go.”

Age and timing are an important contrast. Having recently celebrated his 34th birthday, Casemiro will leave Old Trafford this summer as he prepares to bring his career to a close, while De Jong is on the cusp of turning 29.

The consequence of signing an older midfield anchor is clear: Manchester United must again search for a high-cost midfielder to occupy the base of their midfield.

Barcelona are reported to be exploring a second loan for Marcus Rashford after his temporary move last summer. The original agreement included an affordable $35.1 million (£26 million, €30 million) buyout clause, a figure Catalonia’s leaders appear unwilling to meet. Sky Sports News claim La Liga’s leaders are “interested” in retaining Rashford for at least one more season on a secondary loan deal.

Any discussions would be expected once the current campaign finishes and Rashford returns to Manchester United. United have previously ruled out negotiating a lower release clause, and the club remain intent on moving the forward on swiftly given concerns that his wages are set to skyrocket in the likely event of Champions League qualification.

From Barcelona’s perspective the proposal is straightforward: keep Rashford’s services without paying the $35 million fee. For United, the deal is less attractive. Pushing a permanent transfer back by a year risks further reducing the player’s market value. Rashford is described in the report as a versatile winger at peak age, 28, with two years remaining on his contract.

The possibility of a strong World Cup showing for England could raise his price, the draft notes, complicating matters for all parties. A follow-up loan would also not necessarily guarantee a permanent move next summer. If Barcelona again decide against triggering the clause, United could be left with a 29-year-old forward who has only 12 months left on his deal.

The Red Devils’ position is said to be clear: either Barcelona trigger Rashford’s release clause in full or he returns to Old Trafford. Should he return, the most likely outcome would be a new permanent destination for the player, with the report adding that there are plenty of clubs who would surely be keen on snapping up the talented forward.

Barcelona head into the close of the 2025/26 season on the verge of securing back-to-back La Liga titles under Hansi Flick, but the club is already considering reinforcements this summer. Spanish outlet SPORT reported on a reported trip to London by Barcelona sporting director Deco last month and suggested Barça could be ready to exploit Tottenham’s uncertain position should relegation follow.

Tottenham, last season’s Europa League winners, find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone with four matches remaining. Despite claiming their first league win of the calendar year, they sit two points adrift of safety. The prospect of a first relegation in almost 50 years has been blamed in part on injuries and what the report describes as incompetence from those running the show, despite a squad that possesses clear talent.

SPORT’s coverage focused on several Spurs players who might attract Barcelona interest if Tottenham are demoted. Centre backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are described as almost certain to depart the club regardless of how the final month unfolds, and both have previously been linked with moves to Catalonia. The links are framed as sensible given Barcelona’s need for a left-sided central defender after releasing Iñigo Martínez last summer without signing a replacement.

Other Tottenham names mentioned in the report include Lucas Bergvall, who was a Barcelona target before joining the Lilywhites in 2024, and Xavi Simons, who spent his childhood at La Masia. Barcelona reportedly held meetings with Xavi’s representatives last summer but could not agree terms. Any immediate interest is likely to be affected by the Dutch playmaker’s ACL injury, which will keep him off the pitch until 2027.

The report also notes that van de Ven’s stock has slipped in 2026, while Romero remains comfortable on the left of a central pairing and has spoken about a desire to one day play in La Liga. Romero’s father is reported to have revealed that a release clause exists in the contract his son signed last summer.