Chelsea Hold Frenkie De Jong Talks With Barcelona Amid Manchester United Interest

Chelsea are hopeful of beating Manchester United to the signing of Frenkie de Jong as they look to acquire the Barcelona ace, according to reports.

The new Premier League season kicks off on Saturday evening against Everton for the Blues and Thomas Tuchel is still keen to bolster his side for the upcoming campaign.

While they have made additions this summer by signing Raheem Sterling from Manchester City and centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, there is more room for additions.

On Tuesday, a move for Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina was completed and the west London side have reached an agreement.

While a deal was reached to with Aston Villa for Carney Chukwuemeka who is set to sign a six-year-deal with the club.

While the Blues have made covering defensive woes and improving their attacking output the top priority this window, they are keen to add another player to the ranks in midfield.

In addition to acquiring 18-year-old Chukwuemeka in the centre of the park, Chelsea are hoping to strike a deal for Dutch playmaker De Jong. 

Earlier in the transfer window Manchester United reached an €85 million agreement with Barcelona for the 25-year-old, with Erik Ten Hag wanting to reunite with one of his former AFC Ajax stars. 

However, some reports have suggested that De Jong will only agree to depart from Barcelona if it is for Chelsea, and if he is to leave with his preference to remain at the Camp Nou

This has left the decision in the Blues’ hands, but they are not willing to pay the same fee that Manchester United had offered. 

The player has been left ‘hurt’ by the Spanish club’s decision to sell him.

Due to his refusal of a move to the Red Devils the deal has become complicated.

As reported by The Athletic, Chelsea are wanting to beat their Premier League rivals to the signing and have begun speaking to Barcelona about a transfer.

They are optimistic of striking a deal for the young but richly experienced midfielder.

With both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante’s contracts set to expire next summer, the Blues may be keen to add to the squad now rather than scrambling around for options in a year's time.

Including the potential signing of De Jong, Chelsea could be set to splash nearly £200 million in the coming weeks.

A bid of over £50 million has been submitted for Brighton’s Marc Cucurella, and despite Leicester City holding firm in their stance over a transfer for Wesley Fofana, the Blues are in talks for the centre-back who is valued at £80 million.