De Jong deal ‘more than difficult’ as Romano says Manchester United have had no contact since July

We’re not promising anything but it looks like Manchester United have given up on Frenkie de Jong after the trail went cold.

United wasted weeks if not months pursuing the Dutchman but it seems like the saga is finally at an end after Manchester United signed Casemiro from Real Madrid for an initial £60m.

Now whether you see that as a sound signing or a sign of a panicking club clutching at straws is irrelevant because we can all come together to rejoice that the De Jong story is over. Possibly.

There is now an acceptance from United that if De Jong does change his mind about leaving Barcelona then it will be to join Chelsea, presumably because he wants to play with Harry Maguire.

Fabrizio Romano has been talking about the situation – as well as what is happening with Antony and Cody Gakpo – on his YouTube channel. And when Romano talks, we all listen.

“What does it [the Casemiro signing] mean for Man United?” began transfer specialist Romano.

“What happens for Frenkie and for Casemiro? Manchester United feel that Frenkie de Jong is not changing his mind. He’s not giving any signal of a change at the moment, so Man United still feel that for Frenkie de Jong, everything is in total standby.

“They don’t feel they are close to De Jong, or progressing, they feel that at the moment its total standby and Man United know that if something happens, Chelsea will be there.

“So more than difficult, for Frenkie de Jong, for Manchester United, because there is nothing going on between United and De Jong since July, and also because Chelsea will be in the list in case he changes his mind.

“Now they are focused on a new winger. They are focused on Antony. I’m told that the player wants a move. He’s really pushing for this move. This is why he was not training with the team on Friday, but just at the training ground, in the gym.

“Antony told Ajax, with his agents, that he wants the proposal to be discussed. Ajax said no to an €80million bid, Antony’s pushing for the two clubs to discuss.

“Man United, what are they doing? They are still there, they will try for Antony in case Ajax change their position, but at the same point they are keeping contacts with the agents of Cody Gakpo, a cheaper option.”