Man Utd now set to 'step up pursuit' of £60m star at Old Trafford

GiveMeSport transfer expert Dean Jones provides another big update…

Manchester United are refusing to blink in their push to sign Frenkie De Jong – despite rumours of a potential Chelsea bid refusing to go away.

Chelsea’s top staff have obviously been in close contact with Barcelona since the takeover and while most of the discussion has been around players moving from London to Catalonia, the subject of De Jong keeps cropping up.

There are indications that this interest from the Blues is genuine, despite not featuring in their plans until his name cropped up in talks.

Yet sources close to United insist they are not currently paying much attention to that situation as they are fully focused on their own attempts to land the player and still believe they can get him.

The Reds are still keeping interest in Youri Tielemans and Ruben Neves alive incase the De Jong move does not materialise – and there is also believed to be one other player on Ten Hag’s mind if they are forced to recruit last minute – but none of those options are as mouthwatering as the prospect of Barcelona’s Dutch international.

United are actively trying to sign De Jong, despite his intentions to remain at Barcelona. All indications at this point suggest Chelsea would only bid for him if given encouragement to do so.

United are also believed to be ready to kick on with the pursuit of Antony from Ajax in the coming days, with the Brazilian said to have an asking price of up to €70m (£60m).

He’s another player Chelsea are showing some interest in and he does have an interest in moving to the Premier League. United fancy their chances, given the Erik ten Hag and Lisandro Martinez links.