According to rumors in Spain, Chelsea will compete with Manchester United for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer. The Dutch midfielder, who is rumored to be Erik ten Hag’s main target, has been strongly linked with a move to United.
Multiple sources in Spain are saying that Chelsea has now joined the battle to sign De Jong, which might be a blow to the Red Devils. As proof of their desire to get him to Stamford Bridge, the sources claim that the Blues are even willing to offer captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso as makeweights in a £51 million players-plus-cash deal with Barça.
Alonso, who has one year left on his current contract, has recently made remarks about possibly moving back to Spain, and Azpilicueta’s future is also uncertain despite having a one-year contract extension at the end of the last campaign.
However, it’s believed that Barça heard Chelsea’s offer of cash plus players and would prefer to just get paid upfront. The Catalans placed a £70 million price tag on De Jong this summer, which United has so far been unable to fully cover.
Chelsea are interested in signing Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona, reports @gerardromero pic.twitter.com/60ix9Opy9C
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 7, 2022
However, earlier this week, Sportsmail sources said that a deal involving the Red Devils and Barça was “90% done,” with only a few minor elements still to be worked out. It is anticipated that United will make an initial payment of about £55 million for De Jong as part of a sum that might ultimately reach £70 million.
Although Chelsea are now eager to sign the player before their Premier League rivals, Barca may try to create a bidding war between the two teams this summer. The west London club is rumored to have inquired about Memphis Depay’s availability from Nou Camp officials as well, though a possible transfer for De Jong is given higher priority.
Thomas Tuchel has a long list of defenders, strikers, and now midfielders on his wish list, but he has yet to make his first transfer of the summer at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling is reportedly close to joining Chelsea for £55 million. Also, the Blues are fighting Barcelona to secure the services of Leeds United winger Raphinha.
The Brazilian is believed to have accepted a personal agreement with the Spanish giants but is reluctant to accept an agreement with Chelsea. He also made it clear that he wishes to join Barça this summer but no official deal has been accepted.
