Lionel Messi has told Thomas Tuchel what Frenkie de Jong will offer Chelsea in £71m transfer.
Frenkie De Jong, a Barcelona midfielder who Manchester United has been attempting to sign throughout the summer transfer window, is now being linked with a move to Chelsea.
NeedGoal can confirm that Chelsea and Barcelona are currently in negotiations for de Jong to join them this summer. De Jong has been suggested as the player to provide more creativity to Thomas Tuchel’s midfield.
Throughout the summer transfer window, Manchester United intensively pursued a deal to sign the Netherlands international to Old Trafford after reaching a €85 million (£71 million) fee agreement with Barcelona for De Jong. United has been close on a few occasions, but De Jong has made it obvious that he wants to stay at Barcelona.
The 25-year-old could be persuaded, though, by Chelsea, who can now provide both Champions League football and the allure of living in London. Chelsea and Barca are currently in direct communication, and they are quietly optimistic that they can reach an agreement on a transfer fee to bring the Dutchman to the Premier League.
De Jong’s future is uncertain, and Barca boss Xavi recently said as much while refusing to rule out the former Ajax midfielder leaving the club this summer. Due to Barcelona’s well-known financial issues, selling one of their most prized talents may make sense.
Xavi stated, “I don’t know if he’s going to stay. Many things are still possible, and there is yet time. He is now a member of the team like everyone else.
Added him: “It was not a sign that he was departing to play as a central defender in the other matches. On the field, I don’t need to signal anything. I have immediate access to my football players.”
De Jong is one of the most sought-after midfielders in European football because of his undeniable quality. Additionally, he should still be in his prime at age 25.
Lionel Messi, a former teammate of his at Barcelona, is a huge admirer of the Dutchman’s abilities. Ronald Koeman, a former manager of Barcelona, revealed Messi’s adoration for De Jong last year.
Koeman said in a statement to De Telegraaf via the Manchester Evening News: “”This is your second season, you have to make a step higher now, you need to do more than simply play along,” I told Frenkie when I first arrived. Although this seems harsh, he understood the point.
“I advised him to assume more accountability. to more frequently enter the opposition’s box.
“I brought Messi up in these conversations as well. Frenkie was complimented by Messi for being a great player. He enjoys being around a player like Frenkie because he prefers to be surrounded by football players.
“Messi expresses his thoughts on Frenkie when the three of us are talking. Frenkie is someone Messi always seeks to activate because he thinks he can perform at a much better level. He finds him a very intelligent player.”
