Chelsea FC has Frenkie de Jong seriously in their sights. However, the Londoners will have to dig deep into their pockets to pry the midfielder away from FC Barcelona . Football Insider reports that the Catalans are only willing to cooperate with a departure for a bid of at least fifty million pounds, equivalent to around 59.2 million euros. This is an amount well above his Estimated Transfer Value.

The 29-year-old midfielder is in high regard in London ahead of the upcoming transfer window. Chelsea sees the Dutch international as the ideal successor to Enzo Fernández , who moved to Manchester City last summer. Although interest from the Premier League is not new, the club management is considering following through with a bid in January and enticing De Jong with a lucrative contract.

Asking price and ETV

FC Barcelona is in a strong negotiating position for the time being. Frenkie de Jong's contract was renegotiated in October 2025 and runs until mid-2029. At the time, the midfielder agreed to a salary reduction starting this season.

The asking price of around 59.2 million euros is well above his current Estimated Transfer Value. The defensive midfielder currently represents an ETV of 38.2 million euros, according to data from FootballTransfers.

Should an agreement actually be reached in the winter for the minimum asking price, the LaLiga leaders will still incur a substantial loss on De Jong. After all, the Catalans paid AFC Ajax a sum in 2019 that, including bonuses, amounted to 86 million euros. A sum that is nowhere near being recouped at the current asking price.

Future at FC Barcelona

Frenkie de Jong has not played a single official minute this season. However, his return is drawing closer. Manager Hansi Flick hopes to include De Jong in the squad again this coming Saturday for the league match against Real Betis . The playmaker is now pain-free and has resumed group training, although the German coach indicated that he still needs some time.

Due to the fierce competition in midfield with Pedri, Gavi , Dani Olmo , and Fermín López , among others, a starting place upon his return is by no means certain. The technical staff has therefore already tested De Jong as a central defender in training.

Chelsea on the lookout

Frenkie de Jong's uncertain status in Catalonia is reason enough for Chelsea to keep a close eye on the situation heading into January. Manager Xabi Alonso's team sits in sixth place in the Premier League with ten points after six rounds of matches.

On the final day of the summer transfer window, the Londoners were unable to immediately compensate for the departure of Enzo Fernández. Should De Jong end up on the bench at the Spanish league leaders following his return, a winter attempt from London seems only a matter of time. In the event of a permanent transfer to Stamford Bridge , his former clubs Ajax and Willem II would also benefit financially .