Frenkie de Jong favours a move to over as look to cash in on the Netherlands international.
Manchester United agreed a fee with Barcelona for the midfielder last month, with the two clubs settling on a price of £63million.
However, United have failed to convince De Jong to move to Old Trafford and, in any case, the Dutchman wants to resolve an issue over £17m worth of unpaid wages owed to him by Barcelona before exiting the club.
United have been attempting to sign De Jong for the last 13 weeks but little progress has been made in the last three weeks, which has opened the door to Chelsea.
The Blues have opened talks with Barcelona over a deal for the former Ajax ace and they are willing to match United’s offer to the La Liga giants.
Barcelona have spent £140m this summer despite their dire financial situation and they want to sell De Jong in able to raise funds and to register the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha.
De Jong feels he is being pushed out of the club but he’s increasingly resigned to the fact that his Nou Camp career is over and he’s now deciding his future.
Erik ten Hag’s relationship with De Jong was thought to be a deciding factor in United’s move for the Dutchman but the Times say the midfielder would prefer to join Chelsea.
The Blues offer De Jong the chance to play Champions League football this season, while living in London is said to appeal to him more than moving to the north-west.
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