Chelsea ready to pounce for Man Utd target if Old Trafford move falls through

The Red Devils are in pole position to sign the Dutchman from Barcelona, with a fee already agreed in principle between the two clubs.

Personal terms are still to be signed off, and while De Jong is open to linking up with his former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, he would rather be playing Champions League football.

Chelsea can offer that for the coming season while United cannot and manager Thomas Tuchel is a fan of the Netherlands international.

The Guardian reports that the Blues are simply monitoring the progress of United’s move for De Jong and are yet to make any kind of advances themselves.

De Jong is Ten Hag’s top target this summer, while United are also close to signing Feyenoord full-back Tyrell Malacia and Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez.

While Chelsea hold an interest in De Jong, they have more pressing priorities than central midfield, in serious need for defensive reinforcements, while they are also looking to add to their forward line.

Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling and Leeds United’s Raphinha are key targets up front, while the likes of and Man City’s Nathan Ake, Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde remain of interest at the back.

With a lot of work to do in the transfer market for their new owners, De Jong will be quite far down the list of priorities at Stamford Bridge.

MORE : Manchester United’s Tahith Chong in talks to return to Feyenoord

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