Chelsea are ready to up the ante in the transfer race for Frenkie de Jong as they are prepared to pay him what he in owed in deferred wages by Barcelona, according to reports.
De Jong, 25, has been the subject of intense interest from the Blues in recent weeks and Manchester United throughout the summer. While the Netherlands international would prefer to stay at Camp Nou, another issue holding up a potential transfer is the fact he is owned tens of millions of pounds by Barca.
De Jong agreed to forgo a percentage of his wages to help the Catalan giants weather the financial storm of the coronavirus pandemic. He is understandably reluctant to leave the club without this salary debt - believed to total an eye-watering £17million - being settled.
