Transfer News: Frenkie de Jong’s agent suggests that Chelsea aren’t out of the race yet
In a surprising turn of events involving Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, his agent has said that Chelsea are not out of the running yet for the Dutchman. This is according to ESPN (h/t Mirror), who claim that de Jong’s representatives are in talks with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain for the player.
This news comes despite Manchester United having agreed to terms with Barcelona for the transfer of the Dutchman. De Jong would apparently like to stay at Camp Nou or play Champions League football next season should he leave.
United are said to have reached an agreement close to the €75 million Barcelona spent on landing the player from Ajax back in 2019. Despite this, he has been named in Barcelona’s pre-season squad and is expected to travel to the United States.
However, it is now claimed that his representatives are encouraging both Chelsea and PSG to bid for their client.
De Jong has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford where he would reunite with manager Erik ten Hag with whom he reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2018/19 season while playing for Ajax. But the player is not very keen on the move and now he is being offered to other clubs that can afford his wages.
It is no doubt that de Jong is a world-class midfielder and any team would be lucky to have him in their squad. But currently, Chelsea are not in such dismay that they urgently need a midfielder. If anything, it is one department where Chelsea have quite a few players. N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are still good enough.
Mateo Kovacic, Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher are some of the options on the bench for Tuchel to choose from. Mason Mount and Kai Havertz, though they play up front, they are still attacking midfielders who can play in the middle of the park whenever required.
One would say the Blues have enough quality and quantity in their midfield department. Adding another one would not be so wise. The fact that he would not come cheap also does not help the case of Chelsea going after him.
Chelsea have other departments like the defence which need immediate reinforcements. A number nine wouldn’t hurt either.
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It will be interesting to see what happens if Chelsea does enter the fray for de Jong. Till then, it will be wise for Chelsea fans to not to get their hopes high.