Chelsea and new owner Todd Boehly may have to consider Frenkie de Jong transfer alternatives as Man United are 'confident' and 'convinced' that they will get Erik ten Hag's man signed next week.
The 25-year-old's future has been up in the air all summer but not because he wants it to be. In fact, the midfielder has made it clear via his representatives that he wants to stay put amid the contract dispute. Barcelona President Joan Laporta and manager Xavi have been clear their ends that they would be happy for their number 21 to stay put but only if he takes a sizeable 50% pay cut, just like Gerard Piqué has done.
This ongoing battle has meant that both Chelsea and Man United are continuing to wait for further updates until each knows what is what in regards to their chances of the central midfielder. Ten Hag's man was always United's first choice for the midfield but recent suggestions had indicated that a £77.5million swoop was on for Adrien Rabiot and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with some media outlets reporting that Richard Arnold and Co were ready to bow out of the race.
READ MORE: Frenkie de Jong hope, Wesley Fofana bid, Aubameyang talks: Chelsea transfer window state of play
Chelsea and Boehly forced the Red Devils to re-consider their plans with his enticing offer to De Jong of guaranteed Champions League football for next season but neither Premier League club could convince him to force the issue.
Ahead of Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona have triggered their fourth economic lever, selling 24.5% of Barca Studios and it is believed that the £70m plus generated from the sale of the Dutch international would be the fifth lever. Money generated in this circumstance to help the Catalan giants formulate a bid for Man City's Bernardo Silva.
But who out of Chelsea or United will provide that lever for the Camp Nou-based club?
According to the latest, it is the latter of the options that are 'convinced' and 'confident' that their financial package will blow the Blues' offer out of the water, with some indications that a deal could be 100% finalised next week.
Ferran Martinez via Managing Barca has confirmed this news with his latest update alongside Diario Sport. His update read: 'CONFIRMED: Total offensive by Manchester United for Frenkie De Jong. They are confident of completing his signing next week, by making the best financial offer to both the player & FC Barcelona.'
Nothing is imminent though despite this update as Barcelona themselves have shown with De Jong's inclusion in the squad that will be used by Xavi to take on Vallecano this weekend in the La Liga opener.
With Chelsea still to be in talks with Barcelona over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, regardless of what happens now with De Jong, Boehly and Tuchel have some thinking to do. Do they offer ridiculous wages, look at alternatives or go with what they have in midfield?
It's a big question that the German hinted the answer to last week but one thing for certain is that current World Champions have enough midfield options to make do for at least another season without the Barca star. It's a situation that can be reviewed next summer once the defensive and attacking situations are completed.
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