Chelsea 'hope to agree lower fee for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong'

Chelsea are reportedly trying to agree a lower fee with Barcelona for Frenkie De Jong.

The Dutch midfielder has been pursued by Manchester United throughout the summer, while Chelsea have also joined the race with a recent report stating that the Blues were close to reaching an agreement with Barcelona.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea are working to lower the fee with Barcelona to less than the £71m that had been agreed with Manchester United.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is dealing directly with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, and if a deal can be agreed upon, Chelsea hope that Thomas Tuchel can persuade De Jong to join the club.

Although Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal, De Jong has expressed a desire to remain in Spain, while an issue of £17m owed in deferred wages is also complicating any potential transfer.

However, Barcelona are looking to offload players to free up space on the wage bill, and the sale of De Jong would open up the opportunity to sign Bernardo Silva from Manchester City.