London giants Chelsea are reportedly in the pole position to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, a target for rival Manchester United.
According to a report by The Times, Frenkie de Jong is likelier to join Chelsea if he leaves Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The Dutch midfielder is also the subject of interest from the Blues’ Premier League rivals Manchester United over a possible move this month.
Frenkie de Jong has been the face of one of the defining transfer sagas of the summer. The 25-year-old does not want to leave his dream club Barcelona, especially when he is on the cusp of reaching his peak. But the Catalan giants are scouring for ways to get him off their books to lighten the wage bill and register new signings.
With Barcelona yet to register Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Jules Kounde for the 2022/23 La Liga season, balancing the books has become necessary. And de Jong is the cash cow for the Blaugrana, with several European heavyweights, including Chelsea and Manchester United, setting their sights on him.
Chelsea might need to invest in a creative midfielder this summer amid uncertainties surrounding the futures of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho. The two experienced midfielders have entered the final year of their respective contracts, thus prompting Chelsea to look for alternatives. Frenkie de Jong has thus emerged as a viable target, with the west London club reportedly hopeful of signing him.
The latest report tips Chelsea as the front-runner to secure the services of the Barcelona midfielder, even with Manchester United still in the hunt for his signature. The Red Devils have been hot on the heels of the 25-year-old for a few months, but their efforts to sign him have proven unsuccessful.
Paul Pogba’s departure as a free agent has forced Manchester United to bring in a replacement, with de Jong the ideal candidate to fill the Frenchman’s void at Old Trafford. Recent reports had claimed that Manchester United had prepared a final offer to sign the Barcelona midfielder.
Also Read: Three potential Frenkie de Jong replacements for Barcelona
But the Dutch international is likelier to join Chelsea than Manchester United. Deferred wages from Barcelona might still be a stumbling block for the Blues, but they remain in the pole position to prise de Jong away from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
