Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

[theyneverlearn]

I wonder what exactly is our so called hierarchy doing? Absolute lack of reliable information from our end, whereas there are now reports from Tier 1 sources that Chelsea are more or less hijacking the deal.

There is no deal to be had with the player. He doesn’t want to leave without the money he is owed. Whether Barcelona accept an offer from Chelsea similar to ours being accepted, it means nothing without the player’s agreement.

FDJ is not walking away from €17 million.

From the same journalists, they’ve all stated we have an offer on the table that has been accepted by Barcelona.

It is entirely in Barcelona’s and FDJ’s hands to sort out their wage dispute before anything happens next. Chelsea will be in the same boat as we have been for several weeks.

 

[Shakesy]

The optimism in here is something quite amazing to behold.

How about, instead of buying into it completely, we just wait to see whats going on?

Two sides of the same coin. Right now the pessimists rule the roost.

 

[Infra-red]

I wonder what exactly is our so called hierarchy doing? Absolute lack of reliable information from our end, whereas there are now reports from Tier 1 sources that Chelsea are more or less hijacking the deal.

To be fair, not much United can do now. They agreed a deal with Barca weeks ago, but the player has steadfastly refused to join United. If the player is happy to move to Chelsea, the deal will be done very quickly. All United can do now is watch.

 

[Widow]

I hope we move for a plan b as another season with McFred would finish me off.

Looking at our transfers so far you have to say it's not been a good window. We have a glaring hole in midfield and are short in the wide areas and upfront. Right back also needs attention. These problems needed addressing three month ago and although the three we have sign look to be decent, none of the issues we had last year have been sorted.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

No, smaller in every sense of the word and every aspect.

Their fecking coach would rather be managing us.

They're not a historic club at all.

 

[hellhunter]

Two sides of the same coin. Right now the pessimists rule the roost.

A pessimist is just an optimist with experience

 

[DevilRed]

Another player that will reject chels.

They've been turned down by nearly everyone this window.

 

[hellhunter]

Another player that will reject chels.

They've been turned down by nearly everyone this window.

Yeah but United is embarrassing, don't forget

 

[TheReligion]

On the contrary, will Chelsea be stupid enough to negotiate a price if they didn't get a green light by FdJ agent??

Just saying, when it was us, everyone kept saying we must have had a green light from the agent/player and thats why we negotiating.

Well yes. I assume you’ve missed Chelsea doing this for literally everyone this summer?!

 

[Brownie85]

Also find it hard to believe that Chelsea (after the summer they've had) wouldn't have spoken to FDJs representatives first.

You do know players and representatives of players have the ability to lie ?

Chelsea might have spoken to his representatives and they might have been told "All options are on the table". So theres the green light to bid. United might have been told the same thing, which is why we bid too.
His agent isn't going to turn round and say "Yes, Frenkie will definitely choose Chelsea if you bid, please do". All they have to be told is he's open to leaving Barca and will consider any club. Thats probably what United have been told too, but we really have no idea

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Yes.

It's a far bigger and more so prestigious club. The coach understands how I play which is a relief after years of being misused at Barca. It's also a club that has been doggedly chasing after me the past couple of months and I've given my word to the coach that I'd be willing to move hence them being so patient.

At Chelsea I face the prospect of competing with Kante/Jorginho/Kovacic/Mount for 2 CM spots. And face the prospect of my coach being sacked within a couple of months.

What I'm not going to do is (a) cry about one season of Europa League football and (b) cry about London vs Manchester.

You'd certainly be crying about the club not being competitive enough after spending 3 years of floating in and out of the champions league and the coach that understands how you play has already been sacked after 2 years or less.

 

[UnitedSofa]

I'm expecting that any day now in all honesty. 'The deal has taken too long, we're moving on to other targets' will probably be the line released to the press.

Meanwhile Chelsea get this deal sorted out in the space of a week.

Literally the biggest myth known to man kind.

Remind me who Raphinha and Kounde play for now?

Kounde that same deal that took MONTHS upon MONTHS to complete and then when it looked like being compelted finally, he fecked off to Chelsea, that Kounde yeah?

 

[BarcaSpurs]

They'd be so stupid to pay another club's debt off. Especially of that amount.

But no doubt the media would completely ignore that and churn out their 'United beaten to a player' content.

If it takes the total package (Transfer fee + bonuses + wages etc) from say 200m to 217m is it really that outrageous?

Plus then theres the report that Barca have knocked 5m off the asking price, and possible that Frenkie might accept less than 17m (especially if Chelsea is a preferred destination).

It's obviously not a drop in the ocean but I think if the deal was a 95m transfer fee in a world without this deferred wages stuff as opposed to 80+17 it'd be getting much less of a debate.

 

[arthurka]

Pressure from the British side? Not sure about that, this is different than the countless Sport tweets

Nothing has changed we have made an offer that is better apparently it´s what the player wants that counts and Barca isn´t paying him.
This will end when Barca pays him what they owe him, if that money comes from us or Chelsea is to be seen. ETH will sell this project to him.

 

[Berbaclass]

I wonder if Chelsea will match our financial offer.

 

[Shakesy]

Yes.

It's a far bigger and more so prestigious club. The coach understands how I play which is a relief after years of being misused at Barca. It's also a club that has been doggedly chasing after me the past couple of months and I've given my word to the coach that I'd be willing to move hence them being so patient.

At Chelsea I face the prospect of competing with Kante/Jorginho/Kovacic/Mount for 2 CM spots. And face the prospect of my coach being sacked within a couple of months.

What I'm not going to do is (a) cry about one season of Europa League football and (b) cry about London vs Manchester.

Fair play, bud. I'd choose Chelsea. Hope you're right.

 

[Shakesy]

A pessimist is just an optimist with experience

 

[Castia]

No, smaller in every sense of the word and every aspect.

Their fecking coach would rather be managing us.

They're not a historic club at all.

United are a massive club the way Liverpool have been a massive club during the 00's when they won very little

To the fanbase and history of football we're huge but on the pitch during the last 10 years I bet Chelsea have tripled our trophy haul.

For a player like FdJ living in London playing in the CL with a proper chance of challenging for trophies is probably way more appealing to coming to United who are a fecking mess.

 

[hobbers]

I think he’ll do well for Chelsea.

 

[Brownie85]

Two sides of the same coin. Right now the pessimists rule the roost.

Not going to deny that. I'm still optimistic, no reason not to be.

If it happens brilliant, but if it doesn't, then life goes on. It is quite ironic how Barca basically steal two players from right out of Chelseas grasp, yet Chelsea are willing to give them the financial boost they need haha. It's comical, but thats football at the end of the day. Lets just see what happens

 

[Infra-red]

I wonder if Chelsea will match our financial offer.

Barca might be willing to accept less money from Chelsea if they think that this is a deal that can actually get done (if the player actually wants this move to Chelsea, as opposed to the one to United).

 

[Solius]

If it takes the total package (Transfer fee + bonuses + wages etc) from say 200m to 217m is it really that outrageous?

Plus then theres the report that Barca have knocked 5m off the asking price, and possible that Frenkie might accept less than 17m (especially if Chelsea is a preferred destination).

It's obviously not a drop in the ocean but I think if the deal was a 95m transfer fee in a world without this deferred wages stuff as opposed to 80+17 it'd be getting much less of a debate.

For me it's more the principle. Barcelona owe him those wages and some other club is just going to come in and pay their debt?

 

[TheReligion]

Option A) Won CL in 2021, CL football this season, 3rd. Signed Sterling, Koulibaly (likely Cucurella, Fofana) - net spend ~£200m.

Option B) Former manager, not in CL, 6th, no trophies for 5 years, net spend of £50m.

Which would you pick...

Sorry that’s a stupid post. Essentially all Chelsea have over United is the CL. That’s it.

You could add plenty of positives to moving to United if you wanted.

 

[LordSpud]

This is mad but I'm telling you Murtough and Arnold got a lot to learn from Woodward. They've failed so far this window.

 

[Ramshock]

been saying it for weeks he has been blowing smoke up Ten Hags ass and he will feck him over for Chelsea

 

[Nero]

I've never known a forum so moist for London as this place.

 

[DevilRed]

Yeah but United is embarrassing, don't forget

I just find it wierd that people still hold that narrative when last summer we signed Ronaldo, Sancho and Varane.

This summer we've signed Eriksen for free (among heavy interest from others) and Lisandro Martinez (who chose us over arsenal). You can argue we might have been beaten out for nunez, but was there really any concrete interest? We didn't even put in a bid.

Its just really odd people still think we aren't a destination because we are "in turmoil". Whereas we've finished above chelsc in two of the last 3 seasons. With the last year arguably being an outlier simply because we changed two managers.

I mean you'd think with ETH on board, it would make sense that if FDJ ever left barcelona, it would be to play for the manager that gave him his start and brought the best out of him.

But I guess people prefer to be panic merchants and pessimists.

 

[JPRouve]

Well yes. I assume you’ve missed Chelsea doing this for literally everyone this summer?!

They did get Tchouaméni, Koundé, Raphinha and De Ligt among others.

 

[Berbaclass]

Barca might be willing to accept less money from Chelsea if they think that this is a deal that can actually get done (if the player actually wants this move to Chelsea, as opposed to the one to United).

I meant to Frenkie himself. I suspect we are willing to go over 400k. I’m unsure if Chelsea would do that.

 

[DutchCruijff]

Far more successful than utd who haven't won a trophy since 2016.

There is no evidence that Tuchel will be gone. They have had a change in ownership and I doubt they would want to rock the boat that hard.

And spare me the honor and principle bs. Players have a limited career and they are entitled to choose the best option for themselves.

We will find out at the end of this window.

If De Jong joins United, you were/are chatting utter shit.

 

[TheReligion]

Definitely, let's apply the same logic - why would you negotiate a fee (at this stage) if you didnt have have a clear inclination the player would want to join. Unless you are United of course.

Have you missed Chelsea doing this for multiple players this summer, the most recent being Kounde?

 

[MUFC OK]

Our negotiators got a deal a while ago while Chelsea doesn't have one at the moment. The issue has been stated many times, De Jong and his agent want their money from Barcelona.

Why are Chelsea negotiating a fee now then? Especially if we already have a deal. They'd need a positive indication from FDJ for it to be worth their while.

 

[Infra-red]

This is mad but I'm telling you Murtough and Arnold got a lot to learn from Woodward. They've failed so far this window.

Woodward did exactly the same in 2013. Arnold learnt from the best.

 

[MUFC OK]

Sorry that’s a stupid post. Essentially all Chelsea have over United is the CL. That’s it.

You could add plenty of positives to moving to United if you wanted.

Go on then..what are they?

Why wouldnt their better summer business be a factor? The fact they've had recent success (won CL) is relevant too.

 

[OrcaFat]

I don't believe ETH was ever 'confident'. If you remember early stories about this, FDJ was saying no to him, then was intrigued, then ETH believed he could be convinced. I think ETH just saw him as a big enough prize that he wanted to give it our best shot.

I don’t remember any stories where FDJ said no to ETH. Puts a different complexion on it all, if reliably true.

 

[UnitedSofa]

I wonder what exactly is our so called hierarchy doing? Absolute lack of reliable information from our end, whereas there are now reports from Tier 1 sources that Chelsea are more or less hijacking the deal.

To be fair, not much United can do now. They agreed a deal with Barca weeks ago, but the player has steadfastly refused to join United. If the player is happy to move to Chelsea, the deal will be done very quickly. All United can do now is watch.

It literally won't. FJD is owed €17M by Barca. Barca ain't paying shit.

This deal is going nowhere, to United or Chelsea or whoever until Frenkie gets his money.

 

[Suv666]

Jesus Christ what a shitshow. Another variable in the mix.

Its time to sort out plan B. This will drag till deadline day and we'd be left with our pants down. Get that alternative ready.

 

[phelans shorts]

For me it's more the principle. Barcelona owe him those wages and some other club is just going to come in and pay their debt?

Absolutely. Paying that money would have been, dare I say it, embarrassing.

 

[Jim Beam]

I think it's on him if he's insisted we stick by this transfer and it doesn't come through. We don't know that's the case, but I'd be amazed if he wasn't the one pushing for this. Whatever happens and whoever is to 'blame', I don't think it's worth getting too upset about.

It's not only about de Jong. It is Timber, Antony, Malacia, de Jong, Martinez, Eriksen and as of yesterday even Dest.

It is clear that club put everything in his hands regarding recruitment and from whichever perspective you might look at it, that's clubs fault and not how other clubs operate in the market.

 

[TheReligion]

I said yesterday that having another club involved suits both Barca and De Jong.