Reports in Spain are claiming that Chelsea are set to beat Man Utd to Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong after making him a better offer.
The Netherlands international has been the subject of speculation for months with the Red Devils showing by far the most interest in the Barcelona star.
However, in recent days there have been reports that Chelsea have entered the frame in an attempt to hijack United’s deal for the 25-year-old.
Man Utd fans to blame? Pull the other one…they’ve been ‘patient’ with Maguire and Pogba
The potential transfer has frustrated Man Utd fans with supporters hoping to see the Red Devils do some quick business after their disastrous campaign last term.
Widespread reports have indicated that De Jong’s primary focus is to stay on at Barcelona while Man Utd and the Catalan giants continue to haggle over the structure of an €87m transfer.
It is understood that the Red Devils have agreed to pay the €87m asking price but that Barcelona want €75m plus €12m in add-ons rather than the €65m plus another €22m in variables currently on the table.
And now Spanish publication Nacional claims that Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has ‘already spoken’ to De Jong ‘personally’ and the negotiations over a transfer ‘may start very soon’.
Barcelona are ‘willing to facilitate’ a move at the ‘right price’ with the Catalan giants looking to ‘reduce the wage bill’ this summer.
Chelsea are ‘willing to pay’ his asking price ‘without any type of objection’ and the report adds that Tuchel now sees De Jong as a ‘priority issue’.
De Jong ‘was initially expected’ to sign for Man Utd but it is a ‘possibility that has been almost ruled out’ by the player with the Red Devils competing in the Europa League next term.
Nacional add: ‘Although he was looking forward to working with Erik Ten Hag again, the offer he received from Stamford Bridge convinced him much more.’
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Man Utd this summer and former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell thinks it could impact United’s ability in the transfer market.
On Ronaldo, Campbell told Football Insider: “That is going to be a problem. Players will come to United to play with Ronaldo. Let’s have it right, it’s a lure. Players would love to play with him.
“Once players hear that Ronaldo wants to leave, players will ask themselves, ‘Who else have you got?’ It is not the same proposition even though it is…
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