Chelsea hold a couple of potentially-pivotal advantages over Manchester United as the two sides go head-to-head for the signing of Frenkie de Jong.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for the Barcelona star throughout the transfer window, with Erik ten Hag keen to add the former Ajax man to his midfield. Despite having previously agreed a fee with the Spanish giants, a move has stuttered as De Jong is reluctant to move to Old Trafford.
United, of course, still have time to secure the midfielder’s services with over a month remaining in the transfer window. However, a spanner in the works has been Chelsea ’s interest in De Jong - and it appears that the Blues are better placed to seal his services.
First and foremost, the London outfit can offer the prospect of Champions League football to any new arrivals thanks to their third-place finish in the Premier League last term.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, were only awarded a place in the Europa League after labouring to sixth last season and were somewhat fortunate to not be playing the Europa Conference League following their final-day defeat by Crystal Palace.
It is said that top level European football could be a deciding factor to De Jong as he attempts to come to a decision over his future and potential Premier League move.
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Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel ’s men also have far more leverage than United in negotiations with Barcelona. The Catalan giants’ interest in Blues duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso has been well noted.
The Spanish side remain keen on signing the pair having already moved for Chelsea academy graduate Andreas Christensen on a free transfer following the expiry of the Dane’s contract at Stamford Bridge.
That aforementioned interest could give Chelsea some intriguing routes to explore as they attempt to secure a deal for De Jong. Should they prove successful, then the 25-year-old would become the club’s third major addition of the summer following the signings of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
The Blues’ summer business does not look like ending there, with a couple of other defensive recruits being eyed. Chelsea appear to have beaten reigning Premier League champions Manchester City to the signing of Brighton star Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard is on the verge of a £50million move to West London.
Meanwhile, Leicester defender Wesley Fofana is being eyed, although with an £80million price tag put on him by the Foxes, it remains to be seen whether the Blues would be able to afford his services - particularly if they manage to beat United to De Jong over the next few weeks.
