Football

Barcelona make new Frenkie de Jong plan

The decision of striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave Barcelona amid a transfer approach from Chelsea will have an impact on midfielder...

Chima Joseph Ugo
Updated August 15, 2022 at 9:17 AM
Barcelona make new Frenkie de Jong plan
Barcelona make new Frenkie de Jong plan
The decision of striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to leave Barcelona amid a transfer approach from Chelsea will have an impact on midfielder Frenkie de Jong's future at the club.

As confirmed by president Joan Laporta, the Blues are increasing their efforts to sign Aubameyang in the final weeks of the transfer season. This move may have an impact on Bernardo Silva's future at Manchester City, who is a top target for Barcelona.

Both Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in De Jong. Manchester United and the player have already agreed on a transfer fee, but a deal has not yet been finalised. United manager Erik ten Hag recently gave the order to hold off on a contract while United has made a new approach to the Dutch international.

Blues executives are now major competitors to capture De Jong from under United's noses after speaking with Barca and his representation. Chelsea, in contrast to United, can provide the player both Champions League football and the chance to live in London, all of which are likely to appeal.

Chelsea, though, seems more assured in their attempts to use De Jong's Barca teammate Aubameyang, who is no longer a definite starter at Camp Nou since Robert Lewandowski's acquisition in the summer. In accordance with his contract with the team, Aubameyang's salary has also increased this season, which has given Barca the incentive to let him go as a starter who is not guaranteed.

As part of Chelsea's efforts to sign Aubameyang, an intermediary named Eugenio Botas has been in Barcelona all week. He has frequently been seen with Mateu Alemany, the director of football at Barcelona, and Jordi Cruyff, the organization's director of sports. Mundo Deportivo has described the specifics of these discussions.

Due to their financial limitations, Barca has yet to register their new acquisition Jules Kounde with La Liga, leaving them with little choice but to release players from their wage obligations. They still also will need enough wriggle room to accommodate Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso, whom they have an agreement in principle to sign.

Yet the theoretical exit of Aubameyang, alongside the anticipated departure of Memphis Depay – who has been in talks with Juventus – and the possibility of selling right-back Sergino Dest, may mean that De Jong stays at the club after all on his current terms, which would see Barca’s move for City star Silva also collapse.

This financial situation has also opened the door for Chelsea to land Aubameyang, in a sensational move that would come a little over six months after he moved to the Camp Nou from Arsenal. This year’s arrivals of Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Raphinha have ramped up competition for attacking players.

Aubameyang is close to Blues boss Thomas Tuchel after their time together at Borussia Dortmund and the two may be reunited at Stamford Bridge this summer as Chelsea look to replace Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner. Blues wing-back Alonso is set to join Barca following Marc Cucurella’s arrival at Stamford Bridge pushing him further down the pecking order on the left-side of the defence.
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