Former West Ham and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp claims he has been told by a high-ranking official at Manchester United that the Red Devils are likely to miss out on Frenkie de Jong.

Despite having agreed a €85m (£71m) fee for the Barcelona midfielder, Redknapp says that United already know that the player prefers a move to Chelsea:

“Now it looks like De Jong wants to go to Chelsea, I know that for a fact, he wants to go to Chelsea. Man United are not going to get him. I’ve had that from somebody right at the very, very, very top at Man United, he’s made up [his mind], he really wants to go to Chelsea. So if he goes to Chelsea, and Man United don’t get him, I don’t know where they’re going and if Chelsea get him obviously he’ll be a fantastic signing for them.”

Even if Redknapp’s sources are accurate, a lot depends on whether Chelsea actually make a formal bid for de Jong. So far, the only offer on the table is from United and, until that changes, fans should not get too concerned about these remarks.

There have been suggestions in recent days that de Jong would favour a switch to Stamford Bridge, due to the fact that the Blues are based in London and have Champions League football. However, sources close to United are still insisting that they believe the player is prepared to join his former manager Erik ten Hag in Manchester.