Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool brace for January transfer battle for Frenkie de Jong with Barcelona star’s future uncertain

MANCHESTER UNITED, Chelsea and Liverpool are said to be ready to fight for the signing of Frenkie de Jong in the January transfer window.

The Barcelona Midfielder25, was bound to move at a time United and chelsea in summer.

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The Red Devils agreed fee of £72m including add-ons for Dutch in July.

But backdated salary payments that Barcelona had to the player blocked the case and ended up forcing it to collapse.

New owner of the Blues Todd Boehly then tried to deflect United’s target late in the window, but that too was not successful.

However, De Jong has been out of favor with Barca boss Xavi so far this season, starting just five games in all competitions.

And the Catalan giants should be eliminated from the Champions League before the round of 16 after only one victory in their first four matches.

According ESPNthe lack of playing time and the need to recoup some of the money lost from their impending European exit could make De Jong an easier acquisition in January.

Chelsea remain light in midfield after N’Golo Kante underwent hamstring surgery this weekthe French to be absent for four months.

JorginhoThe future of is also uncertain as he is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

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It is understood that Chelsea now have a good relationship with HCM Sports Management – who list De Jong as a client.

Meanwhile, United also remain interested in the former Ajax player – with Erik ten Hag having already trained him on the Eredivisie side.

However, the Red Devils will struggle to complete a deal in January given they spent over £200m in the summer window.

And liverpool could still beat them both against De Jong, with Jurgen Klopp still looking for a midfielder.

The Reds loaned out Arthur Melo after injury problems but he barely played due to injury concerns.

De Jong recently spoke about the pressure he received from Barcelona chiefs over the summer as they tried to force him out of the Nou Camp.

Earlier this month he said Ziggo Sports: “I was calm. I decided in May that I wanted to stay. My opinion has never changed during this whole period.

“I stayed calm. But then you know the pressure would start to come.

“Yes, from the newspapers, from the president, exactly. From everywhere actually. But I wanted to stay at Barca so it never fazed me.”