Todd Boehly’s final Frenkie de Jong Chelsea transfer plan revealed as Man Utd offer ‘expires’

Todd Boehly is ready to wait until the bitter end to try and deliver manager Thomas Tuchel Frenkie de Jong, as Chelsea’s transfer plan is made before deadline day as Manchester United offer ‘expires’.

The Blues have had their interest in the Barcelona midfielder known for some time now as Tuchel seeks a more dynamic option to his current midfield roster.

Currently, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are sidelined through injury and this has meant that heading into the Leeds fixture, the current World Champions are short on options.

Jorginho and one of either Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Conor Gallagher will have to deputise and step in at Elland Road but the lack of Kante and Kovacic means that one signing in the centre of the park is a must now, despite what Tuchel said after Everton.

Therefore, the De Jong situation cannot be given up on and that is the exact stance Chelsea are taking as Fabrizio Romano and others have confirmed their intention to play the long game with the 25-year-old.

Although Barca boss Xavi opted to bench him for the weekend’s draw over Rayo Vallecano, the same decision is not expected for the next encounter against Real Sociedad. Man United’s bid – which has now expired, as per various Dutch outlets – hands Chelsea the initiative to complete this £70million deal.

In the meantime, football.london understands that no other midfield targets will be pursued in the meantime until Chelsea potentially walk away from negotiations which they are prepared to do if they drag on much longer.

If a green light was eventually given and the former Ajax prodigy was to become a Blues player, Gallagher could be given permission to have another Premier League loan, with Newcastle and Crystal Palace the frontrunners in this regard. Sky Sports’ Keith Downie tweeted:

‘Newcastle are keen on Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, but The Blues unlikely to entertain anything until they bring in another midfielder of their own.

Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong still Chelsea’s main midfield target. Similar situation with NUFC’s interest in Armando Broja.’