Chelsea are reportedly 'very close' to reaching an agreement with Barcelona over Frenkie de Jong.
The Netherlands international has been at the centre of arguably the biggest transfer saga of the summer, with Manchester United pushing to bring him to Old Trafford.
However, De Jong is still said to be intent on remaining at Camp Nou, while Man United's lack of Champions League football for this season means that they are in a tough position when it comes to convincing the midfielder to move to Old Trafford.
De Jong is also said to be owed in the region of £17m by Barcelona in deferred wages, with the Catalan giants thought to be keen to move him on this summer to ease their financial problems.
However, the club's president Joan Laporta has said on a number of occasions that the La Liga giants want the Dutchman to stay beyond the end of the summer window.
© Reuters
"Frenkie de Jong is a Barca player of great quality and we want him to stay. With him and his teammates, we have a very powerful midfield. He has offers, but we want him to stay and he wants to stay too," Laporta recently told reporters when asked for an update on the situation.
Chelsea have also been heavily linked with the 25-year-old of late, and according to Sport, the Blues are now close to reaching an agreement with Barcelona over a transfer fee.
Thomas Tuchel's side are said to be in 'constant contact' with De Jong's camp, as the London giants look to beat Man United to his signature.
The Dutchman would allegedly still prefer to remain at Camp Nou, but a move to London is believed to be more appealing to the former Ajax youngster than Manchester.
De Jong made 46 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions during the 2021-22 campaign, contributing four goals and five assists in the process, and he has been heavily involved in their pre-season preparations.
© Reuters
"I think we can use new energy, new legs and fresh input to bring us to a new level. If not, then we will push this team but I think we could use some more input and some more quality. We're on it but we will not tell you [who]," Chelsea boss Tuchel told reporters after the clash with Everton last weekend.
Man United are allegedly refusing to give up on a deal for De Jong, but the Red Devils are now looking at alternative targets, with Adrien Rabiot expected to soon arrive from Juventus.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the 20-time English champions are lining up a big-money offer for Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Erik ten Hag's side are believed to have come to an agreement with Barcelona over a €85m (£71.5m) deal for De Jong, but they have thus far been frustrated in their pursuit of the Dutchman.
Man United will be back in Premier League action against Brentford on Saturday, while Chelsea's first home match of the campaign will see them welcome Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Matt Law
