Chelsea are able to battle Manchester United for Frenkie de Jong after progressing in talks with Barcelona over a potential deal for the Dutch ace, 90min has realized.
De Jong has been and stays United’s main summer season goal following the appointment of Erik ten Hag, and the membership have been engaged on the deal for over three months.
So far, United have struck an settlement with Barcelona for an general €85m, however have but to shut the switch resulting from De Jong not but receiving deferred wages owed to him by Barcelona totalling as a lot as £17m. United have been relaxed of their method and assured that the deal will finally be accomplished, although their Premier League rivals have now formalised their curiosity.
Pay attention now to 90min’s Speaking Transfers podcast, with Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey, Harry Symeou & Toby Cudworth. On the most recent present they focus on Chelsea’s plans for Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana and doubtlessly Denzel Dumfries. There’s the most recent on James Maddison, curiosity from massive golf equipment in Jamie Vardy, extra on Cristiano Ronaldo and Frenkie de Jong, plus Diogo Jota’s new deal and Roberto Firmino’s Liverpool future.
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90min reported on Monday that United have been contemplating forcing by the deal by serving to Barcelona pay the deferred wages again to De Jong, amid rising curiosity from Chelsea, although the Blues have now opened talks of their very own with Barcelona to strike a deal.
De Jong’s choice has been to remain at Barcelona, although he want to play within the Champions League in a great world if he have been to go away. Barcelona have been trying to promote the participant to boost switch funds and clear a massively inflated wage invoice to satisfy LaLiga wage necessities, or negotiate a lowered deal to maintain De Jong, who’s joyful and settled in Spain, with the membership.
Waiving the deferred wages would additionally probably be essential if De Jong have been to resume, and his camp have been unwilling to compromise with Barcelona to this point.
De Jong has spoken to United supervisor Erik ten Hag various occasions over the previous few weeks, and is open to a transfer to Previous Trafford as soon as the deferred wages matter is resolved. However Chelsea formalising their curiosity could now complicate issues for a membership who’ve put apart different targets with a view to safe the Dutchman’s signature.
Thomas Tuchel’s facet have been busy out there to this point this summer season, signing the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly, whereas additionally buying younger prospects Gabriel Slonina and Carney Chukwuemeka – although the latter’s deal is but to be 100% accomplished. Marc Cucurella of Brighton, Leicester’s Wesley Fofana and Inter’s Denzel Dumfries are additionally targets, together with a brand new proper winger and an attacker.
They’ve held curiosity in De Jong for a while – as 90min confirmed – and area may open up within the midfield for him with doubt over the way forward for Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, who’re each out of contract in 2023. The previous is attracting curiosity from Juventus within the present window, and Juventus may make room for him by offloading Arthur to Valencia.
Chelsea additionally maintain different bargaining chips in Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta, who’re amongst Barcelona’s remaining switch targets for the summer season – certainly each gamers have agreed private phrases forward of potential strikes the Camp Nou.
The very fact Barca and Chelsea are already talks does rase the chance, although an advanced one, that negotiations over all three offers going down may go well with each events.
