Chelsea are reportedly ready to make a deal for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong if they can sign him in the January transfer window. The Blues are targeting the 29-year-old as a replacement for Enzo Fernandez and are ready to make a move this winter.
Sources say they are prepared to tempt the Dutchman with a big pay packet, given his substantial weekly wage at Camp Nou. On Monday, it was revealed that Barcelona would need an offer of at least ÂŁ50m to sell.
The Blues have been light in midfield since Fernandez completed his £125m move to Manchester City on deadline day. After a late approach for Monaco’s Lamine Camara came to nothing before the window closed, Xabi Alonso has been forced to make do with Moises Caicedo and veteran Jordan Henderson. The latter played the full match in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Bournemouth. However, a long-term solution to the problem is required.
But a deal for de Jong is not as simple as it looks for the West Londoners. The Netherlands international tore the medial collateral ligament in his right knee at the World Cup and has not played for Barca this season. He decided against surgery and opted for conservative treatment, which has reportedly rankled with the club’s medical staff.
Moreover, with the midfielder tied to the Nou Camp until the summer of 2029, Barcelona have little incentive to sell. Having joined from Ajax for €86m in 2019, de Jong has been a consistent performer under Hansi Flick, and the German is unlikely to stand in the way of a big summer move. Chelsea believe they can prise the player away with their financial power when the window opens next year.
Xabi Alonso: “We Take All the Decisions Together” After Enzo Fernandez’s £125m Exit
Xabi Alonso has said Chelsea made the decision to sell Enzo Fernandez collectively, as they seek to move on from the Argentine’s £125m transfer to Manchester City. The midfielder has moved to the Etihad Stadium to reunite with his former manager Enzo Maresca, with whom he won two trophies at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez has been linked with a move away from the Blues since last season, when he made it clear he would like to move to Madrid. A proposed ÂŁ125m deal found its way onto the table in August, with a deadline set for August 14, but City came back with an offer on the final day of the window, which was accepted by Chelsea.
Speaking to reporters previously, Alonso said:
“We take all the decisions together. We are responsible for them with our work together, the big ones, small ones. In football many things happen, and you need to be prepared for everything. With Enzo, we have had conversations, but always with respect as well.”
Fernandez leaves Stamford Bridge having scored 31 goals and provided 30 assists in 170 games for the club in all competitions. He also played a major role in winning the Conference League and the Club World Cup in 2025.