Footie Central | Football Blog Blogging the football world
Chelsea are ready to hijack Manchester United’s move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutchman has been Erik ten Hag’s top transfer target this summer, and United has been working on a deal to sign him.
Report from Spain indicate the negotiations are 90% complete, with United set to pay an initial; £55 million to the Spanish club, which could rise to £70 million, when bonuses and other add-ons are taken into account.
However, that still leaves the door for Chelsea to punce and make a better offer.
Thomas Tuchel is reported to be a fan of the former Ajax star, whilst Chelsea themselves were tracking him before he made the move to the Camp Nou.
Under Todd Boehly, Chelsea have already shown their willingness to gazump other clubs this summer, out-bidding Arsenal for Leeds United Raphinha when he seemed on the verge of joining the Gunners.
Ironically enough, they may yet see the Brazilian slip from their grasp, with Barcelona prepared to offer more for him.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.