Barcelona are on the. verge of agreeing to a £68million deal which would see star midfielder Frenkie de Jong depart for the Premier League as Manchester United's persistence seems to have paid off. And that could have a major impact on a Chelsea transfer move.
The Barca star has always been target number one for the Red Devils who have seemingly jeopardised their other dealings to ensure the Dutch international was to be the first through the doors at Old Trafford this summer. Jurrien Timber and Antony are two other prime targets for ten Hag's rebuild but it is understood that Ajax, who have already sold three of their big hitters this summer including star striker and former West Ham star Sebastian Haller, will only accept an extortionate fee for one of the two as they prepare to close shop early on the outgoings side of things. Lisandro Martínez' proposed move to Arsenal could even further hinder United in their attempts to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's permanent successor.
But as Spanish outlet Sport are reporting, a deal of around £68million is now very close to being formalised and agreed between United and Barcelona for de Jong which would mean that Chelsea could become the only one of the top six sides not to have made a signing yet. One player who will be keeping a close eye on the de Jong situation is Thomas Tuchel favourite Ousmane Dembélé who himself has a big dilemma on his hands this summer. On one side of the coin, Xavi is doing everything he can to convince the Frenchman to stay put in Spain for another season but the financial situation at the club means that with less than five days remaining, their No. 7 will be walking out of the doors as a free agent.
