FRENKIE DE JONG is now shorter odds to STAY at Barcelona than head for the Premier League.
That's despite Manchester United's desperation to sign him and Chelsea looking in the box-seat to make the move in this window.
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That's according to Sky Bet, who have the midfielder at 6/5 to stay at the Nou Camp this summer.
Uncertainty over his Barca future intensified earlier this week as it was reported Barcelona are considering LEGAL ACTION with regards to 'criminality in the Dutchman's contract.'
It is said to centre around De Jong's contract renewal and his temporary drop in wages which are set to go back up, though Barca are pushing for the midfielder to tear up that agreement and stick to the lower salary.
Despite all this going on, United's initially strong pursuit of the 25-year-old stalled.
United had agreed a fee of around £63million plus add ons with Barca but personal terms have halted the move with the midfielder wishing to stay and is owed a considerable amount of money from the club.
The Red Devils were also hit with another sucker-punch when Spanish media reported De Jong admitted to team-mates in the Barca dressing room that he would rather a move to Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford.
That saw Chelsea's odds cut in the market and they themselves went odds-on to sign the midfielder.
They have since drifted out to 13/8 to be De Jong's next destination, according to Sky Bet.
The Catalan club have spent £137million this summer on Raphinha, Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski and are still unable to register them until their books have been balanced.
De Jong enjoyed a breakthrough season with Ajax in the 2018-19 season as a 21-year-old, when Erik ten Hag's team won the league and cup double, as well as reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the club's first time in 22 years.
The 25-year-old signed for Barcelona later that summer for £78million, racking up 138 appearances in three years at the club and it seemed likely that De Jong would be reuniting with Ten Hag at United next season.
However, it was rumoured that De Jong was happy at Barcelona and didn't want to leave, but the club's financial situation, as well the desire to spend big this summer, meant that the Catalan side were willing to sell the midfielder.
United were odds on favourites to sign the midfielder a fortnight ago but have now drifted considerably to 11/4 to sign the Dutchman.
Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have both quit Old Trafford for Serie A, leaving a space in the United midfield.
It leaves just Scott McTominay, Fred and another former Ajax man in Donny van de Beek as United's senior central midfielders.
Frenkie de Jong next club odds
Sky Bet odds
- Stay at Barcelona 6/5
- Chelsea 13/8
- Manchester United 11/4
- PSG 25/1
- Bayern Munich 33/1
- Manchester City 33/1
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Like Barcelona, Chelsea will be playing Champions League football next season, whereas Manchester United can only offer the Europa League.
While reports this week suggested a move to London is more enticing for the player, should have be forced out of Barcelona.
The Blues' central midfield duo of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante both have contracts that expire at the end of next season, so could be on the lookout for a new midfielder.
It leaves just Mateo Kovacic as the only proven first team player with longer than 12 months on their deal, with Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Billy Gilmour the only other first team central midfielders at the club.
PSG were 50/1 two weeks ago but have halved in price to 25/1 to make a move and sign De Jong.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich are behind them at 33/1.
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