Barcelona's need to sell Frenkie de Jong ahead of the new season starting has grown amid their frustrations in their attempts to terminate the contract of Martin Braithwaite - their ‘richest player’.
The Catalan club have handed a 10-day deadline for any potential transfer of Dutch international De Jong with both Manchester United and Chelsea pursuing a deal. It comes after United boss Erik ten Hag instructed United to remain patient on a deal after holding fresh talks with the player.
While United have an initial fee in place with the Catalan club over a transfer which would reunite De Jong with his former Ajax boss Ten Hag, no final agreement is yet in place for a move. With negotiations over that transfer now spanning three months, Chelsea have registered an interested in gazumping any move. Blues chiefs have made contact with Barca and held discussions with de Jong’s representatives and are now strong contenders to sign him from under United’s noses.
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