Chelsea ready to pounce on Frenkie de Jong if Manchester United move falls through | Soccer

The Red Devils are in pole position to sign the Dutchman from Barcelona with a fee already agreed in principle between the two clubs.

Personal terms are yet to be signed and while De Jong is ready to join forces with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, he would rather play Champions League football.

Chelsea can offer that for the upcoming season while United can’t and manager Thomas Tuchel is a fan of the Dutch international.

The Guardian report that the Blues are simply monitoring the progress of United’s move to De Jong and have yet to make any progress themselves.

De Jong is Ten Hag’s top target this summer, while United are also close to signing full-backs Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord and Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.

While Chelsea are interested in De Jong, they have more pressing priorities than central midfield and are in dire need of reinforcements in defense while also looking to expand their forward line.

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Leeds United’s Raphinha are key targets up front, while the likes of Man City’s Nathan Ake, Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde remain of interest.

With much to do in the transfer market for their new owners, De Jong will be low on Stamford Bridge’s priority list.

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