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.
One option to navigate this economic minefield would involve the buying club covering this sum on Barcelona's behalf. Chelsea are yet to table an official offer to sign De Jong but The Athletic claims they are willing to meet the Blaugrana's asking price and, crucially, stump up what is required to cover the salary debt.
The Blues will only take this course of action if the former Ajax prospect elects to move to Stamford Bridge rather than stay put or reunite with his former manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. Is it the transfer saga which has dominated this summer's window and it appears no closer to reaching a resolution even though the Premier League campaign is underway and La Liga commences this weekend.
De Jong is in a strong position when it comes to determining his own future as he has four years left on his contract with Barcelona. According to Spanish outlet Relevo, he informed Chelsea owner Todd Boehly of his desire to remain in Catalonia during a phone call last week.
Will either Chelsea or Manchester United succeed in signing Frenkie de Jong? Have your say in the comments!
However, De Jong did listen to what the American tycoon - who took over from Roman Abramovich earlier this year - had to say and Chelsea are still pushing to sign him. The Blues and United are in need of midfield recruits and neither were convincing in their opening Premier League games at the weekend.
Ten Hag tasted defeat in his first competitive outing as Red Devils manager, losing 2-1 at home to Brighton on Sunday in a game which left Scott McTominay and Fred in the spotlight once again. That came after Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 victory over Everton courtesy of a Jorginho penalty in the first half.
