Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed that midfielder Frenkie de Jong has received offers to leave the club amid Chelsea interest.
The Dutch international has been heavily linked with a move away from the Camp Nou this summer, with it believed that the Spaniards are looking to get him off the wage bill in order to register their new signings.
Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old, having agreed a fee with Barcelona.
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However, De Jong is not keen on a move to Manchester as he is hoping to play Champions League football next season.
Chelsea can offer this, and with Thomas Tuchel a huge fan of the player, rumours regarding a switch to Stamford Bridge have intensified.
It has been reported that Chelsea have entered talks with Barcelona over the midfielder, but are not willing to pay the same fee that Man United had agreed.
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Despite this, the Blues are still optimistic about reaching an agreement for De Jong during the summer transfer window.
With both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho out of contracts at the end of the season, Chelsea could risk losing their midfielders.
The signing of De Jong would boost the quality of midfield options for Tuchel, but the head coach has played down any midfield additions this summer.
The German dropped a huge hint regarding the transfer but played down speculation, stating that Chelsea will not prioritise a midfielder this summer.
He said: "I think if we can add to the squad we add. Midfielders maybe not the first option but we can use new legs and fresh input to bring us to a new level.
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"If not, we will push our current players.
“We could use some input and more quality. We are on it."
Barcelona precedent Laporta has also dealt Chelsea a blow, admitting that the club want him to stay, despite offers on the table for the Dutch international.
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“Frenkie’s our player and we want him to stay at Barcelona, he wants to stay too,” Laporta said.
“With him and his teammates, we have a very powerful midfield.
“He has offers, but we want him to stay.”
It remains to be seen as to whether Chelsea can convince the midfielder to join them or if he will remain a Barcelona player this summer.
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The Blues are also in negotiations with Leicester City over a move for defender Wesley Fofana as Tuchel looks to add to his squad before the end of the transfer window.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Frenkie De Jong, Barcelona, Manchester United, Football, Transfers
Nick Emms