Frenkie de Jong is growing increasingly disillusioned with life at Barcelona and Chelsea could offer him an escape route with a €100m (£85m) summer transfer bid, according to a report.
The Dutchman’s time in Catalonia has been dogged by interest in his services from the likes of Manchester United, though he is now into his fifth season with Barca since signing from Ajax in 2019 for an initial €75m.
De Jong had always been keen to stay with the La Liga giants despite Barca’s willingness to sell in recent years, but Relevo now state both the 26-year-old and the club are open to a summer exit.
The midfielder is said to disappointed with the Blaugrana’s timid La Liga title defence, while they suffered defeats in the Supercopa de Espana and Copa del Rey. Manager Xavi has already confirmed he will step down from his role at the end of the season.
Sport add that sporting director Deco has attempted to renegotiate De Jong’s contract with an extension until 2029, but it has so far been ‘impossible’ to reach an agreement.
They explicitly claim Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea would be willing to stump up €100m to sign De Jong, having already forked out huge outlays on Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
The Blues were frugal in the January transfer window and are even said to be fearing a points deduction if they dismiss manager Pochettino and his backroom staff, given it could see them breach Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Man Utd were still interested in De Jong last summer, while Bayern Munich also made enquiries as revealed by 90min. Paris Saint-Germain have also been touted as a potential destination.