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Football London
Football London
Sport
Joshua Smith

Chelsea 'prepare formal offer' for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong as Man Utd struggle to seal deal

De Jong Chelsea Frenkie de Jong Timo Werner EPL Christian Pulisic FC Barcelona Romelu Lukaku Old Trafford

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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