Posted: 09:07, August 1, 2022 | Updated: 09:13, 1 August 2022
Chelsea are ‘ready to make a bid for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong’ as they prepare to make a bid for Manchester United’s No.1 transfer target. The Blues are willing to match United’s agreed £71million fee for the Netherlands international and can offer De Jong continued Champions League football this season. United have not given up their pursuit of a player Eric Ten Hag has made his first summer signing his priority, but De Jong is reluctant to move to Old Trafford and play in the Europa League. Chelsea reportedly making formal offer for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong Blues willing to match £71m fee for De Jong Barca agreed with Man United Spanish newspaper Diario Sport report that Chelsea will officially make a formal bid for De Jong, who has been on their radar for most of the summer. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was reluctant to allow two of his defenders to leave for Barcelona New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is said to have met with Barcelona president Joan Laporta in early July. Chelsea requested permission to negotiate directly with De Jong, but little happened in the interim. This is partly explained by the tensions between Chelsea and Barcelona over the transfer of defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso. Chelsea were in pole position to sign Jules Conte from Sevilla but Barcelona stunned them with a last-minute £46m bid. Thomas Tuchel is reluctant to allow Azpilicueta and Alonso to leave for the Nou Camp until more defensive reinforcements are brought in. Barca manager Xavi Hernandez, meanwhile, wanted the deals completed before they play in Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Everton on Saturday. The Catalan club have also made it clear to De Jong that they want him to leave to take his wages off their books, allowing them to sign new players. De Jong has rejected a move to Manchester so far with the player keen to stay at Barcelona New United manager Erik ten Hag wanted to work with De Jong again after success at Ajax It comes after Sport reported at the weekend that United will make a final, final bid for De Jong. United are apparently willing to make De Jong their highest-paid player, equaling his current wages of £450,000-a-week. They are also willing to pay the £17m De Jong owes Barcelona in deferred wages.
