Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong is open to joining Chelsea, if Sport on Tuesday are to be believed.
Barcelona had a meeting with the midfielder in the United States to unblock his situation, even though they are aware he wants to continue with them. If De Jong were to stay, it is not clear whether or not he will accept another pay cut.
The 25-year-old had agreed to take a pay cut during the pandemic, but now he doesn’t understand how the club is able to invest big on new signings and then ask him to lower his salary.
At the moment, the two parties have ‘frozen any decision’ since De Jong is not in favour of moving to Manchester United. The Netherlands international is grateful to Erik ten Hag and the efforts put in by the manager and his side to sign him, but Sport say he still doesn’t want the move.
The Dutchman will ‘only agree’ to leave Barcelona if it is for Chelsea and this is where the ‘problem starts’, because the Blues won’t pay the same fee Manchester United are willing to offer for De Jong. His refusal to join the Red Devils has made everything complicated.
The ex-Ajax star’s situation at the Catalan club is tense and can cause issues for them if they fail to either get rid of him or lower his salary. De Jong, for his part, is ‘hurt’ because of the club’s decision to sell him this summer.
Xavi Hernández’s side are not in a hurry and have been waiting for a bidding war between Chelsea and Manchester United. That hasn’t happened so far.
With De Jong open to joining the west London club, Sport explain ‘everything is in the hands of Chelsea’.
The Catalan newspaper end their report by stating: ‘De Jong is no longer untouchable at Barça and the best thing for all parties would be to agree on a beneficial exit in economic and sporting terms for all. Here, the Dutchman has only shown his potential in small drops and his departure would not be traumatic. The real trauma will be if he stays and doesn’t have the necessary minutes.’
