Someone at the 'very, very top' of Man Utd knows Frenkie de Jong wants to join Chelsea

Harry Redknapp claims Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong wants to join Chelsea this summer - and has been told so by someone at the 'very, very top' of Manchester United.

United have been locked in negotiations for the Netherlands international since May and they agreed a €85 million deal with Barcelona last month.

De Jong is still at the Camp Nou however and Chelsea have registered their interest over the last few days.

The 25-year-old would rather stay in Catalonia this summer and Barcelona still owe him €17 million in deferred wages.

Redknapp has a different view however.

He told The Byline that de Jong would be keen on a move to Stamford Bridge and he got the information from a top source.

"Now it looks like De Jong wants to go to Chelsea, I know that for a fact, he wants to go to Chelsea," the former Tottenham Hotspur manager declared.

"Man United are not going to get him. I’ve had that from somebody right at the very, very, very top at Man United, he’s made up [his mind], he really wants to go to Chelsea.

"So if he goes to Chelsea, and Man United don’t get him, I don’t know where they’re going and if Chelsea get him obviously he’ll be a fantastic signing for them."

New United boss Erik ten Hag previously worked with de Jong at Ajax and he sees him as a vital part of United's new style of play.

The Red Devils are desperate for reinforcements in midfield after letting Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic depart at the end of their contracts in July.

Ten Hag was asked about a move for de Jong ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, but he offered a tongue-in-cheek response.

The 52-year-old joked with reporters in his pre-match press conference: "We want Frenkie [de Jong]? I didn't know!

"It's about the right players but I can't speak about players under contract at another club. When there is news you will know."

Chelsea, meanwhile, were keen on de Jong before he joined Barcelona in 2019 and manager Thomas Tuchel is a big admirer.

De Jong has played in central defence during Barcelona's pre-season tour of the United States, but managed to get a game in midfield during last weekend's 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls.