Any slim hopes Manchester United had of landing Frenkie de Jong this summer have been dented by Ilkay Gundogan's desire to leave Barcelona.
Barca are keen to trim their wage bill this summer as they incorporate new signing Dani Olmo into their squad. Even so, the prospect of losing both Gundogan and De Jong appears extremely unlikely.
United manager Erik ten Hag worked with De Jong at Ajax, and has been linked with a reunion on more than one occasion. He has already brought ex-Ajax pair Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to Old Trafford, and both appeared in the opening-day victory over Fulham.
It appears unlikely we'll see De Jong make it three, though. There were always questions over the strength of the latest reports linking the Dutch international with a move, but the Gundogan exit talk appears a little more concrete.
According to Sport, the German international has told Barcelona's higher-ups he wants to leave this summer despite him impressing in his one season with the club. However, manager Hansi Flick remains cautiously optimistic the player will stay.
Gundogan joined on a free transfer from Manchester City last summer and played 36 of his team's 38 league games. He scored five league goals, and also contributed four Champions League assists as Barca reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
It's been a summer of change at Camp Nou, with Flick replacing Xavi as manager, and the club appear ready to allow high-earner Gundogan to leave if a suitable offer arrives. Earlier reports suggested a move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia could materialise, but player and club are still waiting on that front.
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Elsewhere, another midfielder linked with United has completed a move elsewhere. France international Youssouf Fofana was reportedly being considered as an alternative to Manuel Ugarte as a defensive midfield recruit, but has opted to join AC Milan.
"It had a big effect when it came time for my decision," Fofana said after joining the Rossoneri. "When the Club is looking for you like AC Milan was looking for me, it's obvious you want to go there.
"This is the right moment, for me and the squad: now I am a complete player, I want to play in the Champions League and win the Scudetto, I cannot wait to start. The project I saw from the Club aligns with my ideas".