Chelsea ready to strike for Frenkie de Jong if Manchester United move is canceled | american football

The Red Devils are in pole position to sign the Dutchman from Barcelona, ​​with a fee already agreed in principle between the two clubs.

The personal terms have yet to be signed, and while De Jong is open to partnering with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, he prefers to play Champions League football.

Chelsea can offer that for next season while United cannot and manager Thomas Tuchel is a fan of the Dutch international.

The Guardian reports that the Blues are simply monitoring the progress of United’s move for De Jong and have not made any progress themselves.

De Jong is Ten Hag’s main target this summer, while United are also close to the arrival of Feyenoord full-back Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez of Ajax.

While Chelsea have a stake in De Jong, they have more pressing priorities than central midfield, they are in dire need of defensive reinforcements, while also looking to bolster their front lines.

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Leeds United’s Raphinha are prime targets up front, while the likes of Man City’s Nathan Ake, Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde remain interesting in the back.

With a lot of work to do in the transfer market for their new owners, De Jong will be quite far down the priority list at Stamford Bridge.

MORE : Manchester United’s Tahith Chong in talks to return to Feyenoord

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