Chelsea set to hijack Frenkie de Jong deal, offering two players plus cash

Very imaginative transfer policy

Chelsea are threatening to swoop in ahead of Manchester United by offering Barcelona two players in exchange for Frenkie de Jong. Barcelona are in desperate need to sell and despite repeatedly insisting De Jong isn't for sale, have reportedly agreed a deal with United to sign the Dutch international.

Chelsea set to offer two players in exchange for De Jong

However Chelsea are now keen on hijacking the move and going in for him themselves and have two aces up their sleeve to force Barca into allowing him to move to Stamford Bridge. The Blues are reportedly willing to offer two players who the Catalan giants have registered a long-term interest in - Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta - to sweeten the offer. https://twitter.com/UtdDistrict/status/1545002592375566336 Any deal however could be complicated by Barcelona's financial mess after it was reported that the club owe De Jong £17.3m in unpaid wages and bonuses. The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that any chances of securing the deal sooner rather than later have been delayed by deferred wages and bonuses the midfielder is owed from Barcelona after he agreed to take a temporary pay cut to help the club stay afloat. De Jong's initial salary was worth £12m a year before he reduced it to £9m in the 2020/21 season and took a further pay cut last year, earning £4.3m. As a result, Barcelona owe the Dutchman £13.7m in basic wages and a further £3.4m in bonuses after matching clauses in his contract. https://twitter.com/FootballJOE/status/1544954372802498561

Chelsea close to making first signing of the summer

Chelsea are close to making their first signing under their new ownership after Raheem Sterling agreed personal terms ahead of a £45m move from Manchester City. Man United meanwhile have added one new player to their ranks in the shape of full-back Tyrell Malacia while Christian Eriksen has reportedly agreed a three-year deal subject to a medical. Related links:

• Barcelona brutally leave Sergi Roberto out in cropped photo
• The ridiculous amount of money Barcelona owe Frenkie de Jong
• Raheem Sterling agrees terms ahead of Chelsea move