Transfer Centre

Thomas Tuchel plays down hopes of Chelsea deal for Frenkie de Jong

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 07 August 2022

Thomas Tuchel plays down hopes of Chelsea deal for De Jong

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel plays down hopes of his side striking a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is also on Manchester United's radar.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has affirmed that a new midfielder is not one of his top transfer priorities amid links with a move for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong.

The 25-year-old's future has largely dominated the talk of the summer transfer window amid Manchester United's continued efforts to prise him away from Camp Nou.

The Red Devils are understood to have reached an agreement with Barcelona over an initial fee of £63m, but they have failed to convince De Jong to make the move to Old Trafford.

De Jong is thought to be owed £14m in deferred wages by Barcelona, and he would not be able to play in the Champions League with Erik ten Hag's side during the 2022-23 campaign.

Chelsea could offer De Jong the chance to continue his stint in Europe's top tournament, though, leading to rumours of a potential hijacking for the ex-Ajax man.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel on August 6, 2022 © Reuters

The Blues will continue to be active in the transfer market in the next couple of weeks, but Tuchel has played down hopes of an audacious swoop for De Jong.

"Yeah, if we can add, we add. Maybe not necessarily a midfielder as a first option but we're open for everything," Tuchel told Sky Sports News after Saturday's 1-0 Premier League win over Everton.

"I think we can use new energy, new legs and fresh input to bring us to a new level. If not, then we will push this team but I think we could use some more input and some more quality. We're on it but we will not tell you [who]."

De Jong has amassed a total of 13 goals and 17 assists in 140 games for the Blaugrana and has been named in Xavi's squad for Sunday's Joan Gamper Trophy clash with Pumas.

Marcos Alonso's imminent move to Barcelona led to whispers of a part-exchange deal involving De Jong, but the left-back is now expected to complete a straight transfer to Camp Nou for less than €10m (£8.4m).

Frenkie de Jong in action for Barcelona on April 18, 2022 © Reuters

Chelsea already have Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek battling for starts in midfield, although the latter is still being linked with an exit.

Kante and Jorginho's futures have also been called into question with the pair out of contract in 2023, but Chelsea will be expected to prioritise defensive and attacking reinforcements this month.

Despite already signing Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly, Chelsea are allegedly still going after Leicester City's Wesley Fofana and have already seen two bids - one in excess of £70m - rejected for the 21-year-old.

Another dealing with Barcelona for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been mooted, with the Blaugrana still needing to sell players before they can register their new signings with La Liga.

The arrival of Robert Lewandowski could push Aubameyang down the pecking order, and Tuchel is supposedly open to having the 33-year-old in his ranks at Camp Nou after working with him at Borussia Dortmund.