MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong with Chelsea set to make an offer for the Barcelona midfielder.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a Nou Camp exit with the player given an ultimatum earlier in the week.
Club officials informed De Jong that he should take a pay cut if he wants to stay in Spain or else he must leave.
Erik ten Hag is desperate to be reunited with the ex-Ajax ace at Old Trafford, with it understood that United have agreed a £74million deal with Barca.
However De Jong has so far snubbed a switch to the Theatre of Dreams, who can only offer him Europa League football.
A move to Chelsea was touted last earlier this month after new owner Todd Boehly met with Blaugrana president Joan Laporta.
And now according to Sport, the West London outfit are set to turn their interest into a formal offer.
They state that the Blues have informed Barcelona that they intend to make a bid to secure De Jong’s services imminently.
Though just like with United, Chelsea will need to convince De Jong to leave Barca with the Holland international reluctant to go.
But the fact they are in the Champions League as opposed to the Red Devils could give them the advantage.
Sport insist that United are refusing to give up hope of landing De Jong, but he still has no intention to wear the famous red jersey.
Should De Jong be sold, Barca would then press ahead with a move to sign Manchester City ace Bernardo Silva.
Laporta recently commented on his meeting with Boehly where he stressed that they did not speak about De Jong.
Asked by CBS Sports whether Chelsea were offered the chance to sign him, he said: “No, no, no. We had a very nice dinner in Barcelona and we talked in general about football.
“He is a very successful businessman. He is involved in sport with the Lakers and Dodgers and now with Chelsea.
“He looks like a man who knows what he wants to do and it was a very nice dinner.”
