Chelsea are reportedly planning to lure Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong to Stamford Bridge by matching Manchester United’s bid for him. The Red Devils have long been in negotiations for their top target, agreeing a package of £71 million with the Catalans. However, De Jong’s reluctance in leaving Barcelona is holding up the move.
A couple of reasons have emerged in the Dutch midfielder’s refusal to sign for the Red Devils. Firstly, De Jong wants to continue to play in the Champions League which United cannot offer. Secondly, and rather most importantly he is owed £17 million in wages by Barcelona.
Todd Boehly ‘discussed’ Frenkie de Jong with Laporta
Diaro Sport report that Chelsea are planning to snatch Frenkie de Jong from United. The Red Devils have refused to give up on the Erik ten Hag’s priority man who himself is in contacts with the player to convince him. De Jong however, does not fancy a reunion with his former boss at the cost of Champions League football.
Further on, the player has reportedly also refused to take a pay-cut proposed by the Catalan club. Barcelona’s financial struggles mean they need their high-earners to take a significant salary-cut in order to register their five new signings.
The report from Diaro Sport adds Chelsea are ready to help Barca with the same by signing De Jong. Barca president and Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly met in the Catalan city last month to discuss ‘few players’. The Spanish giants talked about Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso whereas Boehly asked to enter the race to sign Frenkie de Jong.
However, tensions furled up between the two clubs after Barcelona hijacked Chelsea’s deal for Jules Kounde. The Blues had agreed a £55 million move with the defender for Sevilla, only for Barcelona to pitch a last-minute £46 million offer and take away Kounde.
Moreover, Kounde was the third player Barca grabbed away from the clutches of the Londoners after Leeds’ Raphinha and Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski. As a result, manager Thomas Tuchel is now firm on is decision of not letting Azpilicueta and Alonso leave until their replacements arrive.
Nonetheless, the two clubs could now look to build new relations if Barcelona entertain Chelsea’s offer for Frenkie de Jong. On the other hand, United are looking to ramp-up their bid for De Jong, including the £17 million Barca owe him in wages. If all Ten Hag’s side pull-off a deal of such kind, it certainly would be ‘one-of-a-kind’.