Share this page!

Ben Jacobs Profile picture
Twitter logo
Aug 3 • 8 tweets • 3 min read
Barcelona want around €80m for Frenkie de Jong having previously agreed a slightly higher €85m deal with #MUFC. #CFC are now in direct talks. De Jong has been consistent that he wants to stay but refused to take a pay cut. He is more open to Stamford Bridge than Old Trafford.
As previously reported, Barcelona will need to explicitly tell de Jong he’s not wanted and must leave, and Chelsea have asked for guarantees if they move the saga won’t drag on. Unlike #MUFC they will get player buy in early if things progress.
Barca really want Bernardo Silva, and need the de Jong transfer fee and squad space to make that happen.
On record, and only two days ago, Joan Laporta denied de Jong was offered to Chelsea when he met Todd Boehly and reiterated he will “do his best” to keep him at Barca. But without a significant pay cut, and due to the Silva interest, an exit still remains more likely.
Thomas Tuchel is very much driving the Chelsea interest. Boehly again backing his manager and trying to pull off an ambitious signing. Won’t be easy but #CFC now exploring.
Am told Chelsea have monitored de Jong situation for quite some time and initiated talks because they now believe there is an urgency by Barca to sell.
De Jong himself is starting to realise his game-time will be even more limited. Xavi has spoken of using him as a centre-back yet Jules Kounde has just come in, too.
Meanwhile, Laporta called Silva “a very good player” and Barcelona have told #MCFC to expect an offer soon. More below from Laporta on de Jong, Chelsea and Silva from late last week in New York.

cbssports.com/soccer/news/jo…

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
　

Keep Current with Ben Jacobs

Ben Jacobs Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @JacobsBen

Ben Jacobs Profile picture
Aug 2
A 🧵 on Gaga Slonina who will join Chelsea from Chicago Fire after the MLS season ends. He’s signed a six-year deal. First thing to say is he makes himself look even bigger than an already tall 6’4. An excellent shot stopper with tremendous reflexes.

His long-ball distribution is strong. He also likes to play sweeper-keeper. This has led to slightly glib comparisons with Manuel Neuer. Slonina has termed them “crazy”. But he is certainly very skilful with his feet and likes to come out the box.
As you would expect for a young keeper there is room for improvement. His composure will develop over time. He deals with long-range shots quite well. But he does have a tendency to parry lower shots into dangerous areas. Loves to punch, too, with mixed results.
Read 5 tweets
Ben Jacobs Profile picture
Jul 31
Told Leicester won’t sell both Maddison & Fofana this summer and it’s not guaranteed either will leave. Fofana has been tracked by Chelsea (and Manchester United) for some time with a view to future windows, with #CFC considering a push now due to urgent need for a centre-back.
Important to note, #LCFC’s stance is not for sale this window. Only a big offer, well above market value, will change that. Club got Fofana to sign a contract extension in March to basically avoid selling before next summer.
PSG are also looking at Fofana as a back up to Skriniar, who is still also a Chelsea possibility. Reports in France suggest they value Fofana around €50m (£42m). Won’t be anywhere near enough. £70m+ all-in is the minimum and even then that’s the lowest end of #LCFC’s valuation.
Read 5 tweets
Ben Jacobs Profile picture
Jul 23
My understanding on Jules Kounde is there has been an unexpected twist. Barcelona have U-turned from Friday morning but are yet to table an official bid. Chelsea felt race was won yesterday. They still have a full agreement with Sevilla. Barca don't just yet.
Sevilla's position has always been Barca must formally bid fast & match Chelsea's offer. Barcelona believe they can bid €40-45m and get closer (not match) to Chelsea's overall fee with add ons. Remains to be seen whether Sevilla accept. Again, no formal offer has yet been made.
Barcelona had given up hope but Xavi pushed hard for a bid. Barca also always felt Kounde U-turning and travelling to Portugal to train with Sevilla bought them some time. As previously reported, this was not what Chelsea wanted.
Read 8 tweets
Ben Jacobs Profile picture
Jul 22
Chelsea now believe they’ve won the race for Jules Kounde. Barca still haven’t formally bid & accept they can’t match #CFC’s offer. Sevilla & Chelsea have an agreement with only minor points being finalised. Personal terms to Kounde preferable to what Barcelona offered, too.
As previously reported, Barcelona’s hope was Kounde would hold out for the move hence the parallels with Raphinha. But Kounde always open to Chelsea. The fact long-standing personal terms have been agreed with him has helped Chelsea.
Barcelona have officially confirmed their second lever is activated. But they haven’t moved. Only Chelsea are in advanced negotiations with Sevilla and the expectation from sources close to the deal is Kounde to #CFC will be fully finalised in the coming hours.
Read 4 tweets
Ben Jacobs Profile picture
Jul 21
Jorge Mendes is making it clear to clubs put off by his wages that Cristiano Ronaldo is willing to take a significant pay cut, potentially as high as 30%. Ronaldo remains interested in an Atleti move. But club continue to distance themselves, as previously reported.
Atleti sources reiterate that the club are simply not in a financial position to move. Atleti have termed signing Ronaldo “problematic”. A Real return is also not an option. There is no appetite for it on Real’s side.
Mendes even offered Ronaldo to Barcelona prior to them signing Robert Lewandowski. No club is currently close to signing Ronaldo allowing #MUFC to maintain their ‘not for sale’ stance without it being challenged. Erik ten Hag remains hopeful of having clear-the-air talks, too.
Read 4 tweets
Ben Jacobs Profile picture
Jul 15
Lots asking how Barcelona can spend heavily when €1.3bn in debt. It's complicated, & LaLiga's financial rules are strict. But in essence, Barca hope to sell 49.9% of its own marketing company & 25% of TV revenues over 25 years, some of which has already come in via Sixth Street.
Barca essentially surrendering future profits to bring in capital (then spend it) now. This allows them to keep pace with Real & #UCL rivals. But not an approach that can be taken season-on-season. That's why what (& who) they bring in now, & how they clear the backlog, is vital.
It's a bold approach & remains to be seen if sustainable. It partly relies on incoming talent restoring Barca to LaLiga & #UCL glory. Club used to be one of rich elite when on-field success consistently achieved, so it could work. But post-pandemic & with high debt it's a gamble.
Read 12 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Don't want to be a Premium member but still want to support us?

Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal

Or Donate anonymously using crypto!

Ethereum

0xfe58350B80634f60Fa6Dc149a72b4DFbc17D341E copy

Bitcoin

3ATGMxNzCUFzxpMCHL5sWSt4DVtS8UqXpi copy

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!

:(