Frenkie de Jong transfer: Gary Neville gives worrying Man Utd update amid Chelsea reports

Gary Neville has tweeted a worrying update for Manchester United fans, after he claimed Frenkie de Jong would prefer a move to Chelsea rather than the Red Devils.

The ex-defender retweeted Sky Sports News’ tweet regarding a report Chelsea were keen on signing De Jong, and claimed he had heard similar information regarding the transfer recently.

“I was in Miami when Barca were there playing two weeks ago and I got told ( third hand ) De Jong preferred staying at Barca or Chelsea and London,” Neville wrote on social media. “Wasn’t a concrete source but this follows that thought.”

A report over the weekend in Spanish outlet Sport claimed that Chelsea would consider allowing defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to move to Barcelona, if it means De Jong coming in the other direction.

The news comes after Chelsea look set to beat United’s local rivals Manchester City to the signing of Marc Cucurella, with the champions unwilling to match the £50 valuation Brighton & Hove Albion placed on him, and would not may more than £40m.

What’s the latest with De Jong?

ManchesterWorld understands United remain hopeful of completing a deal for De Jong, although Chelsea still could bid for the player.

The transfer is being held up by Barca’s refusal to pay £17m of deferred wages, with the midfielder understandably not intending to leave without first receiving the funds he is owed by the club.

ManchesterWorld has also been told the pursuit of De Jong is impacting United’s further transfer plans, with the club keen to wrap up the saga surrounding the Dutchman before concluding other business.

This includes outings, with interest elsewhere in the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Alex Telles, while United might move to bring in a right-back later in the window and are monitoring Red Bull Salzburg attacker Benjamin Sesko.