Barcelona and Chelsea are ‘about to close’ the transfer of Frenkie de Jong for more than €80m, according to Sport on Thursday.
A week ago, the west London club told the La Liga side about their desire to sign the midfielder.
In the last few hours, Chelsea have asked to open a negotiation with Barcelona, which has progressed well because of their economic proposal.
Manchester United have been credited interest in the 25-year-old. The Blues are in a position to overcome the Red Devils’ offer and expect a ‘definitive OK from Barca in the next few hours’. They will have to convince the ex-Ajax man to complete the deal.
De Jong and his camp have to make a decision now, either to reduce the salary or reach an agreement with Chelsea. As it stands, he is more outside than inside the club.
With an agreement ‘practically closed’ between the two sides, his representative Ali Dursun travelled to Barcelona yesterday, to meet his client and analyse all the scenarios before talking to the La Liga side and Chelsea.
The pressure on the Dutchman is total and he is likely to agree to negotiate terms with Thomas Tuchel’s side before making a decision. He wasn’t clear on moving to London a few days ago, but is now beginning to understand that is the best solution, according to Sport.
Chelsea are going to do everything they can to convince De Jong with a proposal that will match his current salary at Barca. The newspaper even states he could go become the highest paid player at Stamford Bridge.
Sport state: ‘Chelsea want to clarify De Jong’s position and he knows that he must make a final decision because the situation is becoming unsustainable. Everything is open, but if you stay, it is more than likely that you will have to make an economic effort that is not considered. And it seems that, now, he is more open to leaving for a club that gives him everything he asks for.’
