Transfer News: Chelsea are willing to cover Frenkie de Jong’s salary debt to sign him
According to David Ornstein, as tweeted by Absolute Chelsea (h/t Football.London), Chelsea are prepared to do whatever it takes to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Blues are willing to fund the transfer fee and cover the salary debt, should the Dutchman decide to join the club.
De Jong has been a top target for Chelsea’s rivals Manchester United throughout the summer. Barcelona, on the other hand, are willing to keep the player and are now threatening him with a legal action over his new contractual terms.
The 25-year-old Dutch international signed for the Spanish giants back in the summer of 2019 for a fee worth up to £65m. He has made 140 appearances in all competitions for the club since then, scoring 13 goals and assisting 17.
He was utilized in various positions across the midfield, from defensive midfield to central midfield and sometimes as a centre-back.
Chelsea do have good options in central midfield as of now, with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho and Conor Gallagher. However, Jorginho is linked with a move away to Italy where Juventus are interested in signing the former Napoli man.
De Jong’s versatility in midfield could be an upgrade to what Jorginho has been producing. The Dutchman is a clever operator of the ball, has a good sense of reading danger and is a more mobile presence in the midfield. If Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel are looking at that position, there are not many better options in European football than the 25-year-old.
If it is a straight shootout between United and Chelsea to sign the player, then the lure of Champions League football and better prospects for the season could lead to the Blues winning this race hands down.
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But that is something only time will tell. De Jong could be wearing United’s colours as well if the club manages to get a deal over the line. They have spent far too much time chasing him to fail and we can expect the Red Devils to keep pursuing him until the very end.