Since joining Manchester United in 2022, Erik ten Hag has made Frenkie De Jong a top priority for the club’s transfer plans. Manchester United has been actively pursuing a deal for the Dutch midfielder, despite Barcelona’s willingness to entertain offers for him. However, De Jong has consistently expressed his desire to stay with Barcelona.

 

Reports suggest that although De Jong played a crucial role in Barcelona’s La Liga triumph last season, he is open to the idea of leaving the club at the end of the current campaign. Chelsea has emerged as a strong contender in the race to sign De Jong and is reportedly prepared to offer €100 million to secure his services.

 

Barcelona’s management is reportedly considering the sale of De Jong in order to improve the club’s financial situation and address concerns about his performance. With two more years remaining on his contract, De Jong is one of the highest earners at Barcelona. Despite no notable progress in contract negotiations, De Jong’s representatives are aware of the interest from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain.

 

Manchester United has been pursuing De Jong for the past 18 months and remains eager to secure his signature. Chelsea, on the other hand, is willing to invest €85 million in order to secure the deal. The club has already made significant midfield reinforcements, including the signings of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for £107 million in January and Moises Caicedo from Brighton for a club record fee of £114 million in the summer. Additionally, Chelsea acquired midfielder Romeo Lavia from Southampton for £58 million, although Lavia has faced challenges with injuries and limited playing time this season.

 

However, negotiations have faced a major hurdle due to De Jong’s high salary demands. Despite Barcelona’s sporting director Deco’s efforts to initiate contract extension talks, reaching an agreement seems impossible at the moment. The future of Frenkie De Jong remains uncertain, with both Manchester United and Chelsea vying for his signature in what promises to be a captivating transfer battle.