A completely surprising new suitor has positioned himself 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 center stage in European media headlines throughout the summer so far.
This comes as the 25-year-old has become a priority target for Premier League heavyweights Manchester United, ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Such a move would see de Jong reunited with the man who has overseen the best form of his career to date, in the form of new Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, sparking widespread speculation that a deal between the boards respective directors of Old Trafford and the Camp Nou are getting closer and closer.
(Frenkie de Jong and Erik ten Hag during the Florida Cup 2019 match between Ajax Amsterdam and Sao Paulo FC at Orlando City Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Orlando, USA (Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
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In turn, anyone associated with Man United will no doubt be concerned to learn that on Friday a direct Premier League rival was named as an alternative landing spot for de Jong ahead of next season.
The outfit in question? The Chelsea of Thomas Tuchel.
According to a report by The Guardian’s reliable Jacob Steinberg, FdJ are “on Chelsea’s list” of potential summer reinforcements.
It comes with boss Tuchel, a keen admirer of the talents possessed by the former Ajax player, 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 should there be a hitch in the negotiations.
De Jong, for his part, while open to a move to Old Trafford, remains keen to line up in the Champions League next season, an attraction that could help the powers that be at Stamford Bridge in their pursuit of the Dutchman.
Frenkie de Jong on Chelsea roster as they watch Manchester United move, writes @JacobSteinberg https://t.co/YXiZlPBPi8
— Sports guardian (@guardian_sport) July 1, 2022
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