Chelsea are looking to strengthen their squad this January.
Much has been made of their shortage in the wing-back areas, but one position that's been identified as a position that needs better depth is centre-midfield.
Chelsea have subsequently been linked with a host of names, including West Ham star Declan Rice, but Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong is another man reportedly on their transfer wish list.
With Barcelona in a perilous financial situation, any decent bid for the Netherlands international is likely to tempt the Catalan giants into a potential sale.
With that in mind, football.london has taken a look at all the latest headlines linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge.
No bid made
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, there has been no official offer made to Barcelona by Chelsea for de Jong.
Romano tweeted: "Nothing confirmed by club sources about Chelsea £33m bid for Frenkie de Jong rumour.
"Barcelona have not received any official or verbal proposal as things stand."
He went onto add that the Blues are currently focused on sorting their ongoing full-back issues for now.
Bayern make contact
Marca claims that Bayern Munich have already ‘been in contact’ with Frenkie de Jong's agents over a move to Germany.
The Bundesliga outfit see the ace ‘as a player who would fit in perfectly at the Allianz Arena’ and view him as a ‘long-term option’ for their midfield.
Agent given instructions
According to the Spanish outlet Fichajes, de Jong has been told he can leave Barcelona, with the player’s agent instructed to look for a new club for his client.
The report adds that because he's being used more as a substitute at the moment, Barcelona want to cash in on him whilst he's still valued at 70million euros (£58.6million).
Chelsea close to matching valuation
The Blues are reportedly honing in on a deal for de Jong with the two clubs said to be just £9 million apart in their valuation of the player.
As per El Nacional, via the Daily Star, while Barcelona are holding out for £50 million, it's understood they'd be willing to drop the price to around the £41 million mark.
Arsenal admission
Chelsea may have to fend off competition from London rivals Arsenal, who are also believed to be keen on a move for the Dutchman.
The Gunners are extremely short in midfield this month after loaning out Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Roma, whilst Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
De Jong has also previously made no secret of his admiration for the Gunners, claiming that he saw himself joining the north Londoners, only to seal a move to Barcelona instead in the summer of 2019.
"I actually thought Arsenal was pretty beautiful in the past," he told Voetbal International, as per Sky Sports. "In my mind, I have had the following list for a long time: Ajax-Arsenal-Barcelona, call it the Marc Overmars route.
"But yes, if you can go directly to Barcelona, then you are also right where you want to be. Faster than you ever dared to dream."
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Barcelona stance
Back in November, the Spanish outlet El Chiringuito reported that the Catalan club are open to selling de Jong if the price is right, with new head coach Xavi reportedly keen to raise funds.
However, the 24-year-old has established himself as one of Europe's most consistent midfielders in recent years and would likely cost a fortune, with Transfermarkt even valuing him at £81million.
