Express
Chelsea are closer than Liverpool to securing the late signing of Barcelona midfielder and Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong, according to reports. The Dutchman has been linked with a potential move away from the Nou Camp all summer long, with United having been locked in negotiations with Barcelona for a number of months but to no avail.
Chelsea have also been credited with a desire to land De Jong, while Liverpool are believed to have joined the battle to snap him up as a result of their ongoing injury crisis in the middle of the park. However, the Reds are lagging behind their west London counterparts after failing to open talks with Barcelona as of yet, according to Fabrizio Romano.
It is claimed that Liverpool are yet to firm up their interest in a move for De Jong, who remains tied down to Barcelona until the summer of 2026. Chelsea are said to be the most likely club to land the 25-year-old as a result, with the Blues still hopeful of thrashing out a deal before Thursday’s all-important transfer deadline.
“From what I am told there are no negotiations between Barcelona and Liverpool for Frenkie,” said Romano on his YouTube channel.
“Also, the salary of Frenkie de Jong is a huge one so it is not easy to sign with a different salary structure they have at Liverpool. Let me say that my feeling is that Chelsea are the club really pushing for Frenkie de Jong.”
It seems as though Liverpool will need to step up their pursuit of De Jong by kickstarting talks with Barcelona to stand any chance of beating Chelsea…
