9 months ago
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Chelsea are prepared to bid £85million (€100m) for Frenkie de Jong this summer with fresh doubts emerging over the midfielder’s future at Barcelona.
Manchester United chased a deal for the Netherlands international throughout the summer of 2022 with Erik ten Hag making him a priority target after his arrival at Old Trafford.
While Barcelona were open to selling the player, de Jong refused to leave the club.
The 26-year-old played a key role as Barcelona won their first La Liga title since 2019 last season but reports now suggest he is open to the idea of moving at the end of the current campaign.
It has also been claimed the Barcelona hierarchy ‘have doubts’ over the Dutchman and are contemplating selling him to improve the club’s finances.
De Jong is among Barcelona’s top earners and has two years left to run on his current contract.
Sport report there has been no progress in renewing his deal with the player’s representatives aware United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain would jump at the chance to sign him.
United relentlessly chased de Jong 18 months ago and maintain their interest in bringing him to Manchester.
The report also claims Chelsea would also be willing to pay big and would be prepared to offer €85m to get a deal done.
Chelsea have already spent £280m in rebuilding their midfield over the last 12 months.
That spree began with the £107m deal to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica in January last year with Moises Caicedo arriving for a club record £114m from Brighton in the summer.
The Blues also signed Romeo Lavia from Southampton for £58m with the midfielder managing just 32 minutes of football this term due to persistent injuries and fitness problems.
Barcelona sporting director Deco has attempted to open negotiations over a contract extension but the midfielder’s huge existing salary has meant it has been ‘impossible to reach an agreement or even negotiate’ at this stage.
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