Chelsea are set to lodge an offer for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong before the transfer window shuts, according to reports in Spain.
The Dutchman has been linked with a move away from the Nou Camp all summer but issues regarding unpaid wages mean he remains a Barca player. De Jong, 25, is also keen to decide his own future and is determined to play Champions League football if he does leave the club.
Chelsea's new owner, Todd Boehly, is looking to make a marquee signing, having acquired the club from Roman Abramovich earlier this year. They can offer De Jong a place at Europe's top table and their interest, which is reported by SPORT, could see both Manchester clubs stand up.
Manchester United have been linked with the midfielder all summer as they seek reinforcements in that area. Erik ten Hag knows the player well, having worked with him previously at Ajax, and he has been their No. 1 target in recent months. However, their inability to offer Champions League football has hampered their efforts, while De Jong is also reluctant to make the switch to Manchester.
Just across town, Manchester City may also be paying attention to De Jong's possible exit leaving Barcelona light in midfield - which may lead them to add more new faces. Already, they've signed the likes of Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski but they have a long standing interest in City ace Bernardo Silva.
The Portuguese playmaker has previously expressed a desire to leave the Etihad and would still be open to a move away if a route opened up. Money raised from De Jong's potential exit may allow Barcelona to lodge an offer for Silva, which could put City in a difficult situation.
Which club will Frenkie de Jong be playing his football for this season? Have your say in the comments!
That said, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed he has no intention of selling De Jong, but would consider all avenues should they arise. He said recently: "[De Jong] is a Barca player and unless we feel the need or the interest to sell him, we won't do it. Frenkie de Jong isn't for sale. We know he has offers. And if at a given moment we are interested in selling him then we would think about it. But right now we won't sell him."
Ten Hag may have added incentive to sign a midfielder after witnessing Fred get sent off for a reckless stamp on Alvaro Morata in Saturday's pre-season defeat by Atletico Madrid in Oslo, Norway. Silva, meanwhile, was a key player for City last season, chipping in with 13 goals and seven assists in 50 appearances in all competitions.
