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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Nathan Ridley

Chelsea news: Frenkie de Jong talks opened as Todd Boehly's transfer strategy questioned

After months of uncertainty at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are well and truly taking their transfer business up a notch.

New owner Todd Boehly is busy doing deals and splashing the cash, with two statement signings in Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly through the door. And the new Blues chief has even added some stars of the future in Gabriel Slonina and Charney Chukwuemeka.

But now Boehly and co's attention is turning back to the top table of European football, with Chelsea in talks to sensationally sign none other than Frenkie de Jong - Manchester United's priority target. The Blues are also keen on signing Leicester City's Wesley Fofana and Brighton & Hove Albion star Marc Cucurella.

With that in mind, here's the latest news from Stamford Bridge.

De Jong hijack on the cards

Chelsea are now in talks with Barcelona to hijack Frenkie de Jong's move to Manchester United.

Mirror Football understands that Blues officials have held discussions with the 25-year-old's representatives and are now strong contenders to snatch him from underneath United's noses. The Red Devils have been desperate to sign De Jong since appointing manager Erik ten Hag, but the deal has stalled due to a stand-off involved unpaid wages.

Despite United and Barcelona agreeing a £63million fee, the midfielder is owed £15m. De Jong agreed to take a pay cut to help his current club through the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Dutchman wants to be paid what he's owed first if he were to leave the Camp Nou this summer.

Read the full story.

Boehly's transfer strategy questioned

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have both expressed scepticism over Todd Boehly's approach in his first transfer window since completing his £4.25m takeover of the club.

Neville has claimed that Boehly's strategy makes it "look like he wants to play football manager" and suggested that there was no long-term plan behind Chelsea's transfer policy this summer, with the Blues feeling the impact of the key departures both on and off the pitch.

"Theres a bit of something that in him," the pundit added, speaking on the Overlap, in partnership with Sky Bet. "He's wandering around a little bit and they're a bit panicky now. You're wondering 'oh they're coming in for De Jong this morning' because he feels like he has to do something, that pressure is on him."

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Boehly's transfer approach has been questioned (AFP via Getty Images)

Get involved! How do you assess Boehly's first window so far? Let us know your verdict in the comments section.

Koulibaly tipped for legend status

William Gallas has claimed that Kalidou Koulibaly can become a Chelsea legend - and says the Blues should've signed him years ago.

"He's strong and we've been waiting for him to come to the Premier League for such a long time - it was a shame that he couldn't come earlier," former Stamford Bridge stalwart Gallas admitted of Koulibaly. "I think that the fans will love him. They will love him because in England, we like this type of defender: strong, quick and making tackles.

"He talks a lot and he has the hunger to fight. He is a fighter. After one or two tackles, I'm telling you, they will have a song for him at Stamford Bridge. It is very difficult to pass him. He is very powerful."

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