Man Utd and Chelsea set for transfer war over Leicester star Ben Chilwell
MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea are reportedly set to battle it out to sign Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell. SunSport exclusively revealed that the Red Devils are interested in signing the England international alongside his Foxes team-mate James Maddison in a £130million swoop. But now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could face hefty competition from their top-four […]
MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea are reportedly set to battle it out to sign Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell.
SunSport exclusively revealed that the Red Devils are interested in signing the England international alongside his Foxes team-mate James Maddison in a £130million swoop.
But now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could face hefty competition from their top-four rivals Chelsea.
The Blues served the first of a two-window transfer ban over the summer – but could make a move for Chilwell as early as January if their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport is successful.
Frank Lampard’s side were handed a transfer ban as well as a £460,000 fine for breaking FIFA rules on signing youth players.
But their appeal will be heard in November – and could see their punishment reduced or overturned.
And plans are already in place to bolster Lampard’s squad – with the Mail claiming that Chilwell is now a key target at Stamford Bridge.
The 22-year-old would be seen as an upgrade on Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso, with neither having fully convinced in Chelsea’s leaky defence this season.
Manchester United have also struggled at left-back, with Luke Shaw having been missing since August with a hamstring injury – and veteran Ashley Young having had to fill in.
Despite Shaw having made his England debut in March 2014, Chilwell has already matched his tally of eight caps and looks set to make the position his own at international level.
A Red Devils source told SunSport of Chilwell and Maddison: “We have already compiled a scouting report of both of them. We have been watching them for a few years now.
“They fit all the right requirements and criteria in terms of quality and keeping an English core which is important.
“Ole likes them but it would be difficult to get them both at the same time. We will have to wait and see what happens.”
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Chilwell is believed to have impressed United when he faced them at Old Trafford in United’s 1-0 victory over Leicester last month.
And United scouts have been in attendance as the Foxes recently played Tottenham and Liverpool.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are currently above Chelsea and United – despite having lost £85million defender Harry Maguire to the Red Devils in the summer.