Barcelona reportedly used the interest from Chelsea to bring Manchester United closer to securing the services of star midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
According to a report by Football Transfers, Barcelona used Chelsea’s interest in Frenkie de Jong to push Manchester United to launch the offensive for their star midfielder. The Red Devils and the Blaugrana have agreed to a deal for the Dutch international, who has yet to give the green light to complete the transfer.
Frenkie de Jong has found himself in a frustrating situation this summer as he has done everything right to be a pivotal figure for Barcelona. But the Catalan club’s financial distress and bloated wage bill have prompted them to consider cashing in on the 25-year-old, whose departure will help them register new signings.
The Dutch international has made nearly 150 appearances thus far for Barcelona while chipping in with 12 goals and 17 assists. But de Jong might have played his last game for Barcelona, with the Blaugrana desperate to ship him out to stabilise their squad. And the player has had no shortage of suitors either, with Manchester United and Chelsea hot on his heels.
The Red Devils have been keen on signing de Jong since it first emerged that Erik ten Hag would be the new manager. But recent reports have contradicted themselves when it comes to de Jong’s preference for his next destination. However, that has not deterred Manchester United, with the Premier League heavyweights recently reaching an agreement with Barcelona for his transfer.
Chelsea seemed to be Manchester United’s main competitor in the race to sign de Jong, with the Blues’ new owner Todd Boehly recently visiting Barcelona to discuss a move for the Dutchman. However, the interest from Chelsea quickly fizzled out, with the west Londoners unlikely to sign a new midfielder this summer.
It has now emerged that Barcelona slyly used Chelsea’s interest to push Manchester United to ramp up the efforts to sign de Jong. However, while the Red Devils and Barcelona have agreed to the final transfer fee and the structure of the deal, de Jong is yet to commit to departing from Camp Nou.
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Recent reports have claimed that the Catalan giants have told de Jong to leave amid his links with Manchester United. But with de Jong no closer to agreeing to personal terms, he will likely go on Barcelona’s pre-season tour to the USA before a move to Old Trafford materialises.
