Chelsea have threatened to hijack Manchester United’s deal for Frenkie de Jong by offering two players in exchange, according to Spanish outlet Relevo.
Erik ten Hag is keen to reunite with the Barcelona midfielder this summer, and the former Ajax star is seen as a key target for Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
Negotiations with the La Liga giants continue to rumble on while Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta continues to insist that the 25-year-old is not for sale, reports Sky Sports.
However, United are understood to have broadly agreed on a fee worth an initial £56million plus £17m in add-ons, as per ESPN.
Given the Nou Camp side’s financial struggles, the Netherlands international is a valuable player that could be sold to help fund Xavi’s rebuild.
Marca report De Jong is owed substantial money by Barcelona after deferring his wages during the pandemic. He does not want to leave without an agreement to get what he is owed, and that is likely proving a stumbling block in negotiations between the two clubs.
Chelsea threaten to hijack Manchester United deal for Frenkie de Jong
Not only are Todd Boehly’s Chelsea interested in signing wantaway Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo this summer, but the Blues have also seemingly entered the race to sign De Jong.
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Chelsea are doing ‘everything’ they can to lure De Jong to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Boehly seems intent on kicking off his Chelsea ownership with a blockbuster transfer window that significantly bolsters Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Given that Barcelona were already interested in signing Marcus Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta this summer, Relevo report that Chelsea are willing to include the two Spaniards in deal which could see De Jong make the move to west London.
Despite being reluctant to leave Barcelona, Chelsea could offer De Jong what Manchester United cannot this season and that’s Champions League football.
Missing out on Ten Hag’s primary target would be a hammer blow in the Dutchman’s first window as Manchester United boss.
The 52-year-old will be hoping that the lure of reuniting with him sways De Jong’s decision over joining a Premier League rival.
Manchester United jet off for the first part of their pre-season tour on Friday and De Jong definitely won’t be boarding that flight, but with the Reds’ Premier League campaign starting four weeks on Sunday, United fans and Ten Hag will be hoping for a positive outcome in the long pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.
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