Chelsea look to hijack Manchester United linked Frenkie de Jong

According to the transfer reports, Chelsea are willing to hijack Manchester United’s move to secure Frenkie de Jong. The Manchester United target is being considered for a swap deal by the Stamford Bridge outfit.

"Chelsea are reportedly hoping to “hijack” Manchester United’s move for Frenkie de Jong and will attempt to send two players to Barcelona in part-exchange.(Via: Sky Sports)"

Chelsea have signed Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly in the ongoing summer transfer window and have concluded no other signings.

Their primary transfer targets Raphinha and Jules Kounde were hijacked by Barcelona while Ousmane Dembele extended his contract with the Catalans. Frenkie de Jong is one of the players that is being considered by Thomas Tuchel to plug the gaps in the midfield.

Frenkie de Jong in Barcelona colours

Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona in a deal worth €86 million after a sensational season in 2018/19. The player has bossed the midfield for the Catalans across the last three seasons alongside Sergio Busquets.

De Jong has played 98 La Liga games and has eight goals and nine assists to his name. His best season was in 2020/21 when he had three goals and four assists.

The never-ending transfer Saga: Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United

Manchester United announced Erik ten Hag as their new manager during the interim managerial tenure of Ralf Rangnick. At the beginning of the summer transfer window, Red Devils got linked with ex-Ajax/Ajax and Dutch players, and Frenkie de Jong was one of them.

According to reports, Manchester United and Barcelona have agreed for the transfer of the player, but the deal is yet to be concluded.

Both clubs reportedly agreed on a deal worth €85 million (€75 million guaranteed) but the player is yet to agree on personal terms with the Premier League outfit, as per the Athletic.

According to a further reports, Barcelona owe £17 million in wages to Frenkie de Jong. The player has been told to let go of the pending wages if he wants to leave Camp Nou.

He is reluctant to let wages go and is one of the major reasons behind him not inking the deal with Manchester United.

Midfield options for Chelsea

Chelsea are left with two defensive midfielders (Jorginho, N’Golo Kante) and five central midfielders (Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus Cheek, Ross Barkley, Billy Gilmour).

Transfer journalists have linked Billy Gilmour and Ruben Loftus Cheek with a loan move to another club. Out of seven players, three players are entering the final year of their contract. This leaves Tuchel’s midfield light. The addition of Frenkie de Jong can bolster and rejuvenate the ageing midfield of Chelsea.

(*- Barcelona are yet to register the players due to their ongoing financial crisis)