Why Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong is flying to London

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong is flying to London on Monday for leisure purposes with his long-term partner. De Jong, 25, was identified as Erik ten Hag's priority target earlier this summer and the player's future has since been surrounded by uncertainty.

United agreed a €55million fee with Barcelona to sign De Jong in July but the deal did not progress. The transfer was stalled by the wage deferral De Jong agreed to as part of a contract renewal in 2020 and United eventually turned their attention elsewhere in the market, moving to sign defensive midfielder Casemiro from Real Madrid for an initial £60m. ALSO READ: Dean Henderson has told Manchester United what he wants The arrival of Casemiro has meant United signing De Jong this summer now looks unlikely, but supporters' hopes increased on Monday afternoon when footage from El Chiringuito TV of the player at Barcelona airport emerged and went viral on social media.

De Jong was pictured at the airport with his partner and they were preparing to fly to London, which sent fans into a frenzy.

However, Barcelona's players have been given time off and De Jong has chosen to travel to London for leisure. De Jong travelling to London is not transfer related and the player is still expected to remain a Barcelona player beyond the transfer deadline.