Frenkie De Jong Open To Joining Chelsea From FC Barcelona At Manchester United Expense

Frenkie de Jong is open to joining Chelsea from FC Barcelona at the expense of Manchester United.

The Dutch midfielder has been United’s top transfer target this summer since his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag took over the reins at Old Trafford.

An agreement in principle between the two clubs has been in place for some time according to reports, with the Red Devils willing to pay a guranteed €75mn first of all and a further €10mn in add-ons.

All that is missing to get a deal over the line is De Jong agreeing to terms with the PremierPINC
League giants. Yet the 25-year-old is apparently unwilling to join an outfit that cannot offer him Champions League football and is more than happy with his lot in Catalonia where he has just bought a house with his long term partner.

Last week, reports emerged that Barca had told De Jong he must leave so that they can free up space on their payroll amid Financial Fair Play regulations.

There were even threats that De Jong could be left off the Blaugrana’s U.S. preseason tour, some outlets said, but these have proven untrue with the playmaker featuring in a 6-0 win over Inter Miami on Tuesday.

While De Jong and his teammates enjoy an American summer and get ready to face Real Madrid in four days’ time, reports allege that De Jong would be open to a move to Chelsea.

According to SPORT, De Jong is not ruling out Stamford Bridge as an alternative next destination though his preference is staying in Barcelona.

As opposed to United, he recognizes that Chelsea have a “sporting project and a structure that lives up to their sporting aspirations”, first of all because they will play in the Champions League next season and, secondly, under the guidance of master technician Thomas Tuchel, they are also in a position to fight to win the competition and challenge for the Premier League as well.

Furthermore, for foreign players, London is often seen as a more attractive city to live in than Manchester.

Though Chelsea know that United and Barca have a pre-agreement in place, they are also aware that the player is uninterested in joining their domestic rivals and are therefore waiting for them to give up chase before presenting their own formal offer to the Catalans.