Barcelona lower asking price for new target, who may finally be forced out

Barcelona have done everything they can to get rid of Frenkie de Jong this summer, but it just hasn’t happened.

Manchester United offered €85m, Barca accepted, but de Jong didn’t want to make the move.

Now, according to Ben Jacobs, things are actually starting to slide towards a transfer taking place – but to Chelsea rather than Man U.

Barcelona want around €80m for Frenkie de Jong having previously agreed a slightly higher €85m deal with #MUFC. #CFC are now in direct talks. De Jong has been consistent that he wants to stay but refused to take a pay cut. He is more open to Stamford Bridge than Old Trafford.

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) August 3, 2022

Firstly, a desperate Barcelona have lowered their asking price to €80m to get Chelsea interested. That’s combined with a chance in stance from de Jong, who not only seems to see Chelsea as a more tempting option, but also realises that with Jules Kounde coming in at centre back, his chances for playing time are actually drying up in Catalonia.

If he accepts that moving on is the only way to move his career forward, and he’s convinced by the Chelsea project, AND the Blues are willing to pay €80m, a deal could happen.

But that’s a lot of “if”, and a lot of money.