Chelsea and Manchester United could go head to head in the race to sign Denis Zakaria.

The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder is known for his excellent physicality and ability to pass from a deeper midfield position.

The Blues are interested in the player, per Bild (via theExpress).

They claim Chelsea scouts are assessing the player in the Bundesliga and with the Swiss national team.

But Manchester United could provide competition.

"It's true but Chelsea are not the only club keen," Bild journalist Christian Falk told the Byline Podcast.

"We know these clubs have shortlists and Zakaria is on the shortlist of Chelsea because he is a really good player.

"But he is also on the shortlist of [Man] United and the shortlist of [Man] City.

"He's really expensive for a player that hasn't shown in a big competition, I know that Gladbach knows there are interests from big clubs and also German big clubs.

"I think it's not his year to make a transfer and Gladbach don't want to sell him but if a club pays €50million or €60m of course there will be negotiations. I think we will have to talk about Zakaria next year.

"They [Chelsea] are watching him and they can see him in the Champions League which is interesting."