Manchester United have accepted Chelsea's transfer challenge, with the Premier League rivals battling it out to sign Frenkie de Jong. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit from Barcelona this summer as the Spanish giants continue to seek a solution to their ongoing financial woes.
football.london understand that the west Londoners have 'liked' the idea of signing the Netherlands international for a few years now. And, while Thomas Tuchel faces great competition from Erik ten Hag for the midfielder's signature, the Blues boss is confident of beating United to a deal.
Todd Boehly was pictured going out for a meal in Barcelona last week amid the Blues ongoing business with the Spanish giants. Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso have both been heavily linked with moves to the Camp Nou, meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong have both been subject to interest from Chelsea.
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It's said that the American billionaire met with Barcelona officials Mateu Alemany, Jordi Cruyff and Joan Laporta, who each followed Boehly into the same venue moments later at staggered intervals, to resolve ongoing business between the two clubs. Coincidentally or not, since Chelsea's informal meeting with the Catalan side, United chiefs Richard Arnold and John Murtough have too touched down on the northeastern coast of Spain.
According to the Mirror, the Red Devils are plotting a move of their own for De Jong. However, reports from Spain claim that Chelsea's entourage are confident in their ability to convince the Netherlands international to snub Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge on two conditions; Champions League qualification and a lucrative London lifestyle.
Despite the circus of interest regarding the £76million-rated midfielder's future, Laporta has insisted that De Jong is not for sale. As quoted by the Mirror, Barcelona's transfer chief said: "Frenkie de Jong is a Barcelona player. We don’t want to sell him unless we have no other choice.
"Of course we know there are offers for De Jong, but we don’t want to sell him," Laporta added. "There are clubs that want him, not just United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay.
"Frenkie is considered as one of the best midfielders in the world by all the experts. We are happy to have him. I’m going to do everything I can in my power so that Frenkie stays here, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted."
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