Ever since Chelsea owner Todd Boehly made a trip to Spain to hold talks with Barcelona earlier this month, the Premier League side have been dragged into the mix for Frenkie de Jong by the Catalan media.
On July 26th, Sport reported the midfielder will only leave the La Liga side to join the Blues this summer.
Today’s edition of the same newspaper states Chelsea have ‘shown interest’ in the 25-year-old, but have not sent an offer to Barcelona.
He is also wanted by Manchester United. Erik ten Hag’s side have an agreement in place with the Spanish club, but the ex-Ajax man is reportedly refusing to join the Red Devils.
After showing interest, Sport explain Chelsea have made it clear to Xavi Hernández’s side they have no intention to pay the €80m fee.
If Barcelona were to lower their demands, then ‘an agreement could be reached’ with the Blues for the Netherlands international. In addition to this, De Jong is ‘much more open to going’ to London than Manchester, although how Sport would know that isn’t clear.
Barcelona must find a solution for De Jong and they are running out of time.
The Dutchman’s preference is to stay at the Camp Nou and that would only be possible if he were to take a pay cut. His entourage are not accepting this idea.
If De Jong refuses to lower his wages, then Barca will open the door for his sale in the summer window.
