Chelsea Renew Pursuit of Frenkie De Jong to Bolster Midfield

Chelsea are eager to secure the signature of midfielder Frenkie De Jong, who is expected to leave Barcelona at the end of this season, as they look to strengthen their midfield options.

Chelsea’s interest in De Jong is longstanding. During the 2023 summer transfer window, the Blues made several attempts to persuade the Dutch star to move from Barcelona to London but were unsuccessful. As a result, the club made a last-minute decision to recruit Romeo Lavia from Southampton for a fee of €62 million. However, the 20-year-old Belgian has been injured for most of the season and has not contributed to the team.

Following a tumultuous transfer window, which saw more than €1 billion spent since the American owner acquired the club for £2.5 billion in May 2022, Chelsea are not slowing down. According to Fichajes, the club plans to revisit the De Jong deal and may present an offer of around €80 million for the Dutchman in the coming weeks.

Chelsea are in dire need of enhancing their midfield, and the Dutch international could be the perfect addition. De Jong, a former Ajax player, would bring creativity, control, and composure to the midfield. Chelsea require someone who can provide technical skill and stability, aspects that Moises Caicedo and Connor Gallagher have not fully delivered this season.

De Jong could potentially form a formidable partnership with Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo at the core of Chelsea’s midfield next season. Besides Chelsea, the 1997-born player has also been linked with moves to Manchester City or Manchester United. Should manager Erik ten Hag remain at Old Trafford, he is reportedly eager to reunite with his former player. It remains to be seen if Chelsea can secure this deal.

However, Chelsea’s inability to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League may hinder their ability to attract top-tier players. De Jong is keen to play at the highest level and will likely seek a club capable of winning major trophies. Bayern Munich and PSG are also interested in the 27-year-old.

Chelsea have experienced two disappointing seasons, and their appeal to the world’s best players is uncertain. Additionally, the club’s financial situation could pose challenges in spending a significant amount on the midfielder. They must comply with financial regulations to avoid penalties for overspending. Missing out on European football for two consecutive seasons has also impacted Chelsea’s revenue.