Frenkie de Jong makes feelings clear on Chelsea transfer as Manchester Utd face rival bid for the Barcelona midfield talent.
Frenkie de Jong has been a longtime transfer target for Manchester United, but the midfielder from Barcelona’s Premier League foe Chelsea has also entered the fray.
According to sources in Spain, Barcelona player Frenkie de Jong has left the door open to joining Chelsea this summer. This news is devastating for Manchester United.
De Jong, 25, has been sought after by United throughout the summer window, and an agreement to bring him to Old Trafford was reached with Barca. The Netherlands international, though, has made it very obvious that he does not want to play for the Red Devils.
He considers Barcelona to be his ideal team and is reluctant to leave Camp Nou, especially because he still has four years left on his Catalan contract.
However, Chelsea is the most recent team to make an effort to entice De Jong to the Premier League and they are prepared to make a counteroffer to United to get him.
The player does not oppose joining Chelsea with the same fervor as he opposes United, which is concerning for Red Devils leaders. According to the Catalan publication Sport, De Jong would think about joining the Blues, who are looking to add midfielders this summer.
Raheem Sterling, a winger, and Kalidou Koulibaly, a center back, have both been acquired by Thomas Tuchel’s team. A deal to get Jules Kounde, a defender from Sevilla, would strengthen the defense even more.
Notably, Chelsea lacks a midfielder, which is problematic considering that N’Golo Kante and Jorginho both have contracts that expire in less than a year.
De Jong’s willingness to relocate to West London is therefore a welcome development, albeit the source notes that he still prefers to remain with the Blaugrana. Chelsea has a variety of advantages against United in the transfer market for the former Ajax prospect, giving them the upper hand.
They can provide De Jong the opportunity to participate in the Champions League next season, whereas United will play in the Europa League, which is the first and most essential thing.
Second, relocating to Stamford Bridge would provide the player the opportunity to reside in London, since he has no desire to do so.
De Jong is also aware of the project Tuchel is working on, which now has the necessary financial support and a defined identity thanks to Todd Boehly’s group taking over the club. Chelsea will now have to decide whether to formally express their interest through an offer.
De Jong, who is on preseason tour with Barcelona in the United States, came off the substitute in Wednesday’s 6-0 thrashing of Inter Miami.
The fact that Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso of Chelsea have been closely connected to Barca may increase the Blues’ chances of landing their desired midfielder.
