Man City considering challenging Chelsea for Chilwell

Manchester City are considering challenging Chelsea for the signing of Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell ahead of the summer transfer window.

The England international is believed to be amongst Chelsea‘s leading targets this summer as Frank Lampard looks to strengthen his options at full-back, the west London side having moved quickly to bolster their squad this summer and long-term admirers of the England international.

Chilwell has attracted plenty of interest following a series of impressive performances during Leicester‘s unlikely run into the Champions League places, the 23-year-old having cemented himself as one of the finest full-backs in the division and as a first-choice for both club and country.

According to the Telegraph, City have now joined the race for Chilwell’s services as Pep Guardiola also considers his options at left-back, Benjamin Mendy continuing to struggle for both form and fitness and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s long-term role believed to be in midfield.

The Premier League champions could now rival Lampard’s side for the Foxes’ star, though Leicester’s valuation of the player could prove problematic. Brendan Rodgers’ side are believed to value the left-back similarly to Harry Maguire, the centre-back having become the most expensive defender in history when signing for Manchester United in an £80m deal last summer.

Any fee in that region would eclipse the club-record £62.8m fee that Man City paid for Spain midfielder Rodri, whilst much may depend on the club’s appeal against their two-season ban from European football.

Both Leicester and Chelsea are currently on course to secure a top four finish and Champions League qualification, a situation which may hinder City’s hopes of securing Chilwell should their two-year ban from the competition be upheld on appeal.

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