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‘Let me say’: Romano claims Chelsea closer than Liverpool to signing £71m midfielder

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Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
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Liverpool have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race to sign Frenkie de Jong.

According to The Times this weekend, Jurgen Klopp is interested in bringing the Barcelona midfielder to Anfield before the transfer window closes on Thursday.

However, Chelsea have spent more than anybody in the Premier League this summer and they have been linked to the Netherlands international for a little longer than Liverpool.

And Fabrizio Romano has revealed that despite the speculation, he is not aware of any ongoing discussions between the Reds and the Dutchman regarding a transfer to Merseyside, claiming that he feels like Stamford Bridge is a more likely destination at the moment.

He told his Here We Go channel on YouTube: “Guys, from what I am told there are no negotiations between Barcelona and Liverpool for Frenkie. Also the salary of Frenkie de Jong is a huge one so it is not easy to sign with a different salary structure they have at Liverpool. Let me say that my feeling is that Chelsea are the club really pushing for Frenkie de Jong.”

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Manchester United had previously agreed a £71 million transfer fee with the Catalan giants to sign the 25-year-old, but it was reported earlier in the week that a move to Old Trafford was now off the table.

Despite hammering Bournemouth 9-0 on Saturday, Klopp’s side absolutely need at least one midfielder this summer and hopefully for them, it is the Chelsea target.

Liverpool have Thiago, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones all sidelined and, with Jordan Henderson having turned 32 this summer, the Reds’ midfield is in desperate need of renovation.

But if Romano is right, De Jong won’t be materialising.

At the moment, anyway.

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