Frenkie de Jong is holding crunch talks with Barcelona as Chelsea look to complete a double swoop for the Dutch midfielder and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Marcos Alonso going the opposite way.
It comes amid a protracted saga over De Jong with both Manchester United and the Blues pursuing a transfer. Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag recently instructed his side to remain patient on a deal after holding fresh talks with the player but the Blues are believed to be becoming increasingly confident of securing his signature.
While United have an initial fee in place with the Catalan club over a transfer, which would reunite De Jong with his former Ajax boss Ten Hag, no final agreement is yet in place for a move. With negotiations over that transfer now spanning three months, Chelsea have registered an interest in gazumping the Red Devils. Blues chiefs have made contact with Barca and held discussions with De Jong's representatives and are now strong contenders to sign him from under United's noses.
