Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool lead race for Frenkie de Jong if he leaves Barca

Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are in pole position if Frenkie de Jong decides to leave Barcelona in the January transfer window.

According to ESPN, Chelsea are thought to have received encouragement that the Dutch international may be reconsidering his status at the Camp Nou, despite remaining adamant over the summer he would stay at the club. 

De Jong’s long-running transfer saga with Manchester United went on all summer, with Barcelona willing to let the midfielder join the Premier League side to help ease their financial woes. 

Erik ten Hag would still be keen to link back up with the player he coached whilst boss at Ajax 

A deal of around £56million was agreed between the clubs, but De Jong’s reluctance to leave the Spanish giants saw the move fall through, and United switched their attention to Casemiro as a midfield recruit. While contact late in the summer window from Chelsea also proved fruitless. 

However, the 25-year-old has only started five matches in all competitions for Xavi’s side so far this season and could fail to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League – two factors that could sway De Jong in a January move to the Premier League. 

Chelsea are eyeing midfield reinforcement following the injury lay-off of N’Golo Kante. The Frenchman will be sidelined for four months and is missing next month’s World Cup, while he and Jorginho are both yet to agree a new deals with club. 

N’Golo Kante will be missing for Chelsea for four months and are eyeing midfield replacements

Liverpool are also keen to bolster their midfield after the injury to loan signing Arthur Melo

The Blues are said to already have a good relationship with HCM Sports Management, who have De Jong on their books and are pushing a strategy to sign younger players to long contracts. 

United also still retain an interest in the Dutch star, who previously worked with Erik ten Hag at Ajax, but would have to be clever with the finances after their summer outlay. 

Liverpool too, are in the market for a central midfielder after seeing deadline-day signing Arthur Melo ruled out until possibly the new year. 

Any move from the Premier League clubs will depend on De Jong making noises that he is now ready to depart Barcelona and make a move away from the club. 

De Jong would need to show he’s ready to leave Barcelona and move to the Premier League