Breaking news : Manchester United target Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as Paul Pogba’s replacement

 Manchester United are targeting Barcelona 

midfielder Frenkie de Jong as a potential

 replacement for Paul pogba , according 

to reports.

United are poised to lose Pogba on a free 

transfer at the end of the season when the

 midfielder’s contract expires.

The World Cup winner is yet to agree a new

 deal with United and it’s understood that 

the 28-year-old is holding out for a salary 

rise which would see him overtake Cristiano

 Ronaldo as the highest-paid player in the 

Premier League.

United are already considering replacements

 for Pogba and West Ham’s Declan Rice 

is on the club’s shortlist.

However, The Independent reports that 

De Jong is also being considered by 

United’s hierarchy

The report also claims that Barcelona’s

 new head coach, Xavi, ‘hasn’t been 

overwhelmingly impressed’ with De Jong 

and Barcelona could look to offload the 

Netherlands international as they still need 

to reduce their wage bill.

De Jong joined Barcelona in a £65m deal

 from Ajax in 2019 but has struggled to live 

up to his price tag so far.

De Jong still has just under five years remaining

 on his current deal with Barca, which puts

 the Spanish club in a strong position to 

demand a high transfer fee.

The Dutchman’s position in Barcelona’s team

 is also under threat following the emergence 

of Pedri and Gavi, two of the club’s brightest 

academy prospect in recent years.

De Jong has also been linked with a 

move to Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola 

understood to be a huge admirer of the 

midfielder.

‘Before my signing for Barcelona was made 

official, Pep Guardiola called me,’ De Jong 

told TV3.

‘He said in a serious, but kind of joking tone, 

that he was happy for me and congratulated me.’