Watch: Fabrizio Romano updates Chelsea & Man Utd fans on De Jong
It’s the transfer saga that’s dominated the summer window: Barcelona‘s Frenkie de Jong is the subject of an increasingly fierce tug-of-war between Chelsea and Manchester United – and Fabrizio Romano has provided the latest on the midfielder’s situation.
De Jong signed for Barcelona in 2019 after impressing at Ajax but the move has not worked out as either party had perhaps hoped at the time.
The Dutch midfielder has shown his class in some moments in Spain, but he has not shown the kind of form that he showed in Ajax’s incredible Champions League run before his €75million move.
With midfield options now plentiful at Camp Nou and Barcelona attempting to reduce their wage bill, they are now looking to move him on – although the issue of his deferred wages has stalled their attempts at selling him.
Manchester United are interested and had even agreed an €85million fee with Barca, according to The Athletic.
But the player has so far refused to sanction the move, preferring to stay at Barcelona, and in recent weeks there has been speculation that Chelsea may step in to hijack the deal.
With the transfer window closing in three weeks, time is running out for either Premier League giant to sign De Jong and Romano has provided a bumper update on the summer’s dominant saga on his YouTube channel.
“We know that Frenkie de Jong is one of the biggest names on the market,” Romano began.
“We have to understand what will happen on the player’s side and we know how long there have been negotiations with Manchester United, and now with Chelsea, so what’s going on right now?
“Let me start with the facts and what’s happened in the last 24 hours. The agents of Frenkie de Jong are in Barcelona – this is 100% confirmed with videos of the agents arriving at Barcelona Airport.
“But, from what I’m told, there was no meeting between Frenkie’s agents and Barcelona on Wednesday. Why is that? Because, at the moment, nothing has been decided between Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong.
“So the plan of the agents is to meet Frenkie himself to understand the situation and then decide whether to meet with Barca and try to find a way.”
Explaining why he used the word ‘try’, Romano explained: “Because, on the club’s side, the situation is pretty clear.
“Manchester United are still there because, now United feel the deal is getting complicated, they are aware of the big issues of this story and, I’ve always said, the problem is Frenkie and United knew about that problem.
“They’ve tried in every single way to change the situation but they knew about Frenkie’s ideas and now they feel it’s really complicated.
“But Man United are still dreaming of Frenkie de Jong because they have an agreement with Barcelona since the beginning of July for €75million, plus add-ons.”
Speaking about Chelsea’s interest in the player, Romano said: “[Chelsea owner] Todd Boehly is in love with Frenkie de Jong. [Chelsea manager] Thomas Tuchel is in love with Frenkie de Jong.
“The two most important people at Chelsea are pushing for Frenkie de Jong. They want him, it’s been part of their transfer strategy since July.
“Chelsea will only submit an official proposal when they know about Frenkie’s priorities and whether he wants to leave Barca or not.
“So Chelsea are waiting for Frenkie but Chelsea have already told him, and people at Barcelona, that they’re ready to pay what Barca want for Frenkie de Jong.
“So Chelsea are ready. They feel they’ll be in the race if Frenkie changes his mind.”
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