Chelsea are ready to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong if the Netherlands international becomes available, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

De Jong was heavily linked with a £72million move to Manchester United last summer but the Blues were also interested in signing the Barcelona midfielder.

Despite interest in him last summer, De Jong wasn’t interested in leaving Barcelona.

“I wanted to stay at Barcelona and my opinion didn’t change,” De Jong told ESPN. “That’s why I stayed calm because I knew what I wanted.”

If De Jong decides he wants to leave Barcelona in the future, Romano says you cannot rule out Chelsea being a potential destination for the Dutchman.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Romano said: “Let’s remember, last summer, Chelsea also wanted him – not just Manchester United. So I would always keep an eye on Chelsea for Frenkie de Jong in case he changes his mind one day.”