Chelsea are reportedly weighing up a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but the Catalan giants are said to be prepared to play hardball over the price.
Barcelona Set £50m Starting Price
According to Football Insider, Barcelona will demand at least £50 million for the 29-year-old when he becomes available next year. That figure is understood to be the opening position in any negotiations, with the Blaugrana hoping to recoup more before agreeing to a sale.
Chelsea want a creative midfielder to strengthen their squad, though AS Monaco’s Lamine Camara is also on their radar.
Why Chelsea Need Midfield Reinforcement
The Blues were unable to replace Enzo Fernandez after his record move to Manchester City in the summer, leaving Xabi Alonso short of options. Romeo Lavia has started the 2026/27 campaign well, but injuries have disrupted his time at Stamford Bridge. Valentin Barco is still adjusting to English football, while Jordan Henderson is 36.
De Jong’s Barcelona Record
The Dutchman joined from Ajax in 2019 and has made over 300 appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 31 assists. Fitness problems have held him back recently, and he is currently sidelined.
Opinion: Injury Record Makes the Price Tricky
De Jong’s passing range would suit a midfield alongside Moises Caicedo and Lavia. However, paying £50 million-plus for a player with a patchy injury history is a considerable gamble, and Chelsea may well prefer a younger option such as Camara.