CHELSEA are tipped to bid big for Denzel Dumfries after Reece James' latest injury woe.
But Manchester United are also keen on Inter Milan's £53million-rated right-wing back.
The Dutchman shone in the World Cup as crock James missed out.
And after 11 weeks sidelined, the England star only lasted 53 minutes of his comeback, a 2-0 win over Bournemouth on December 27.
James could be absent for another month due to his new knee problem.
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And Sport Italia suggest Dumfries could be catapulted into top place on Chelsea chief Graham Potter's wishlist for the January transfer window.
It's claimed Blues' co-owner Todd Boehly is not put off by Inter's hefty asking price for the 26-year-old.
The Italian giants are said to want between £43m-£53m for the former PSV Eindhoven hero.
But a bigger complication could be rival interest from Dumfries' fellow countryman Eric ten Hag.
The Old Trafford boss reportedly considers the former PSV Eindhoven hero as an ideal replacement should he lose first-choice right-back Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
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Portugal ace Dalot might ponder his future in the summer despite his fine season for United.
And Wan-Bissaka's only start for Ten Hag came on Sunday, with old club Crystal Palace thought to be interested.
Cesar Azpilicueta came back into the starting line-up as Chelsea were pegged back for a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day.
Serge Aurier deservedly boosted Forest's hopes of moving out of the drop zone with a neat equaliser after Raheem Sterling volleyed Chelsea ahead.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
