Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is taking things into his own hands by flying out Barcelona for transfer talks, as among other deals, the Blues bid to pip Manchester United to the signing of Frenkie de Jong
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has landed in Barcelona amid suggestions that the Blues are bidding to hijack Manchester United 's £56million deal to sign Frenkie de Jong.
The American tycoon, who was handed the keys to Stamford Bridge thanks to a £4.25billion takeover in May, is aiming to make a statement in his first summer transfer window at the helm. Snatching De Jong from United's clutches has emerged a potential power move, with reports in Spain claiming that Chelsea have joined the race to sign the in-demand Dutch midfielder.
While the Blues are also in talks with Barcelona over the sales of Spanish defenders Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicuteta, it's expected that De Jong will be one of the topics discussed when the Chelsea chief sits down with Camp Nou officials at a restaurant on Thursday evening. Quizzed by a reporter from Cope as why he was in the city, Boehly smiled and coolly replied: "We're here for a meal."
The 25-year-old Netherlands international, who the Red Devils are still quietly confident over winning the race for, wants to stay in Catalunya. However, Barcelona's perilous financial predicament means that the club would be open to sell him, should their demands be met - despite club president Joan Laporta claiming that De Jong wasn't for sale yesterday.
"Frenkie is not for sale. He is a Barcelona player," Laporta - also spotted walking into the same restaurant as Boehly alongside fellow Barcelona officials Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany - declared in a press conference on Wednesday, unveiling new singing Frank Kessie, notably a midfielder. "There are offers but that's not the case. We don't want to sell."
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