A former Barcelona star has urged Frenkie de Jong to snub a Chelsea transfer as he believes an exit would be a 'mistake.'
The midfielder wants to stay put in Spain this season amid an ongoing contractual dispute that doesn't look like coming to and anytime soon as the Catalan giants hold out for not having to pay his deferred wages. The 25-year-old has drawn strong interest from Man United and the Blues all summer long but his resistance in not wanting to leave until he's given the money he wants has caused Barcelona a few problems.
Not only do they need to raise money in transfer fees and generate space and funds on the wage bill, but whatever happens to Barca's number 21 will have a direct influence on what happens on the incoming side of things. This is because Joan Laporta needs to sell De Jong in order to fund a move for long-term target Bernardo Silva. Currently, a stay for the central midfielder appears increasingly likely with one of his options now seemingly off the table.
READ MORE: Frenkie de Jong plan 'difficult' as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Chelsea transfer 'progressing'
Man United are closing in on a £60m deal for Real Madrid's Casemiro and are set to pursue Sergej Milinkovic-Savic which means they now see De Jong as 'improbable', the Athletic has revealed.
It is understood that new owner Todd Boehly is prepared to play the long-game with Barcelona with Chelsea keen on a double swoop for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the Dutch international.
The former of the pair is looking a lot more progressed with Chelsea now very confident they can strike a £22m deal for the former Arsenal man, football.london understands.
Whether or not Chelsea can pull off this double swoop remains to be seen but one of De Jong's former teammates has warned the club and the player himself against a potential Premier League 'mistake.'
Riqui Puig, who is now an LA Galaxy player, has sent a message to De Jong over what he should do which unsurprisingly aligns with what the player is currently feeling.
Puiq said: "I think Frenkie de Jong must stay at FC Barcelona. Selling him would be a mistake."
Chelsea fans - how confident are you that Todd Boehly's long-game plan will work with Frenkie de Jong in the end? Leave your thoughts in the comments section!
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