Chelsea ‘prepare formal proposal’ in ‘firm desire’ to beat Man Utd to De Jong

Will Ford
Man Utd target Frenkie de Jong looks to control the ball

Chelsea are reportedly ‘preparing a formal proposal’ for top Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong.

Manchester United’s pursuit of De Jong has been the transfer saga of the summer, with new boss Erik ten hag desperate to reunite with the midfielder after success together at Ajax.


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United have agreed a £72m fee with Barcelona for his transfer, but De Jong has dug his heels in and is currently on preseason tour with the La Liga side.

The 25-year-old wants to stay at the Nou Camp, but if forced to leave would rather join a club playing in the Champions League; that’s where Chelsea come in.

There have been rumours of interest from the Blues, but now, according to Relovo, new owner Todd Boehly is ‘preparing a formal proposal’ having ‘expressed firm desire’ to sign the Dutchman ‘in the last few hours’.

It’s also confirmed that ‘Manchester does not seduce the player, neither sportingly nor personally’.

Chelsea are well stocked in midfield, particularly following the return of Conor Gallagher from his loan spell with Crystal Palace, but with both Jorginho and N’Golo Kante entering the final year of their contracts, De Jong could be one of their replacements.

Meanwhile, former United striker Teddy Sheringham does not think De Jong would “set the world alight” at Old Trafford, and urged United to consider a couple of “statement” signings.

“He’s a big name but I don’t think he is one that is going to set the world alight at United and really come in and grab it by the scruff of the neck,” Sheringham said.

“If they’d have gone out and broken the bank for Declan Rice or Harry Kane – I know West Ham and Spurs fans are going to castigate me again for saying this sort of thing – but that is what you have got to do to make a statement.

“Ten Hag has got one hell of a job on his hands to change the vibe of the dressing room around but signings like that would change the whole ethos of where Man United are going.

“The signings that they’ve made are okay at best… and that is how fans will see it as well.”