Chelsea are reportedly "preparing a formal offer" for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutch midfielder has emerged as Premier League rivals Manchester United's number one summer transfer target with new boss Erik ten Hag hoping to reunite with the player he managed at Ajax. But with United failing to qualify for the Champions League this season, it appears De Jong is not so keen on making the move to Old Trafford and Chelsea could be about to swoop in and beat them to his signature.
Reports have claimed United agreed a transfer fee that could rise to around £72million with Barcelona last week, but De Jong's reluctance to join the Old Trafford side is holding up the deal. United Chief Executive Richard Arnold and Director of Football John Murtagh both travelled to Barcelona last week but left empty-handed having failed to finalise an agreement with De Jong to move to the Red Devils.
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It comes despite Barca pushing for the player to leave in order to help resolve their ongoing financial issues. The Catalan giants want him to accept a pay cut or leave the club, but De Jong is under no obligation to do either and has described Barca as his "dream club".
But the opportunity to play for a side capable of winning titles could be a lot more tempting for De Jong, and Chelsea are now said to "have expressed their firm desire to sign him". That's according to fresh reports coming out of Spain, hinting that the Blues could be set to gazump United to the player's signature.
According to Spanish news outlet Relevo, "Barcelona already know that Chelsea are preparing a formal proposal for Frenkie de Jong – they have expressed their firm desire to sign him in the last few hours. A move to Manchester United doesn't seduce the player, neither sportingly nor personally."
But it seems the Blues, like United have already found, may have some work to do to persuade De Jong that his future is away from the Camp Nou if their bid is accepted. Speaking in June, De Jong hit back at claims he could leave Barca this summer.
He said: "What I'm saying, there is absolutely nothing of an agreement [with United] or anything official. At the moment there is no question of it at all – not that I know of in any case.
"Or they must not have told me, but I don't think so... I prefer to stay with Barcelona. Barcelona is just my dream club. Also from a young age, I just said it, too. I've never regretted my choice despite the fact that I had hoped for more in terms of prizes than I've achieved so far. But I have never regretted my choice."
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