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Chelsea are ready to join Manchester United in the race for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
The Blues will reportedly use the Blaugrana’s interest in Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to pip the Red Devils to his signature.
De Jong, 25, is believed to be United boss Erik ten Hag’s top priority this summer, with recent reports indicating a deal is edging closer.
But Spanish outlet Sport claim Thomas Tuchel’s outfit will throw a spanner in the works by offering a part-exchange deal to the Catalan giants.
Cash-strapped Barca have slapped a £64million price tag on De Jong, a fee the West Londoners would look to reduce to £50m by offering up the defensive duo.
Both Azpilicueta and Alonso have been linked away from Stamford Bridge as they enter the final year of their deals.
Andreas Christensen has already made the switch to the Camp Nou from Chelsea this summer and the pair have been tipped to follow him to join Xavi’s side.
The offer of a sizeable fee plus two high-quality defenders could prove too good for the LaLiga club to turn down.
Dealings between Chelsea and Barca this off-season could be set to continue, with the report indicating Tuchel is also interested in forward Memphis Depay and defender Sergino Dest.
The Blues look close to securing their first major piece of transfer business this summer, with The Times reporting that a deal for the return of defender Nathan Ake from Manchester City is close.
In other news
Manchester United have been told they will have to pay a combined £106m to sign Lisandro Martinez and Antony from Ajax, according to the Daily Record.
The Mail understand Wolves striker Fabio Silva, who they signed for £35m two years ago, is set to join Anderlecht on loan.
Arsenal are considering a move for Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo as cover for Kieran Tierney, say the Mirror.
