An altogether surprising new suitor have positioned themselves in the race to land Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong this summer, according to reports.

The name of Dutch maestro de Jong, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the headlines across the European media throughout the summer to date.

This comes with the 25-year-old having emerged as the priority target of Premier League heavyweights Manchester United, with a view to the 2022/23 campaign.

Any such move would see de Jong reunited with the man who oversaw the finest form of his career to date, in the form of new Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, giving rise to widespread speculation that a deal between the respective boards at Old Trafford and the Camp Nou is inching ever closer.

In turn, it will no doubt come as a concern for all associated with Man United to hear that, on Friday, a direct Premier League rival have been tipped as an alternative landing spot for de Jong ahead of next season.

The outfit in question? Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea.

As per a report from the reliable Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, FdJ is 'on Chelsea's list' of potential summer reinforcements.

This comes with boss Tuchel a keen admirer of the talents possessed by the one-time Ajax standout, and eyeing fresh blood in his side's ranks in the middle of the park.

Chelsea, in turn, are closely monitoring developments between United and Barcelona, ready to pounce in the case of a hitch coming to the fore in negotiations.

De Jong, for his part, whilst open to a move to Old Trafford, remains keen to line out in the Champions League next season, a pull which could aid the powers that be at Stamford Bridge in their pursuit of the Dutchman.


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