Chelsea sources confirm Manchester City interest in first-team star

A new report has confirmed Manchester City interest in Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell, as per Club sources.

The reigning Premier League champions are known to be in the market for a brand new left-back this summer, having endured problems in the role for a number of years and forcing head coach Pep Guardiola into transitioning other members of his squad into the position.

Since arriving at Manchester City in the summer of 2016, all of the likes of Fabian Delph, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Joao Cancelo, Sergio Gomez, and most recently Bernardo Silva have operated at left-back in the absence of a true natural in the position.

However, as of late, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have found great success with Nathan Ake in the position, as the Dutchman looks to be the mainstay solution for the rest of the campaign in search of a third consecutive Premier League title.

Despite Ake proving his qualities in the position, City have no intention of postponing their plans of recruiting at left-back this summer, with their search now taking them to a familiar top-flight rival.

According to a new report from The Athletic, the outlet has been told by ‘sources within the club’ – who they state have spoken anonymously to protect relationships – that there is a ‘genuine interest’ from Manchester City in Ben Chilwell.

Unfortunately for Etihad Stadium officials and their hopes of securing Chilwell in the coming months, The Athletic also reveal that the England international is ‘happy’ at Stamford Bridge and is ‘settled’ living near the club’s training ground.

Manchester City are known to have held an interest in Chilwell since his days at Leicester City, and there is a belief within the club that if Chelsea had not secured the player through his release clause in 2020, then he may well already be in Sky Blue.

While Chelsea secured the player for an undisclosed fee, the understanding in various quarters is that Stamford Bridge officials paid a sum in the region of £45 million.

Should Graham Potter and co sanction an exit for Ben Chilwell this summer, then the London club can certainly expect a healthy profit given Manchester City’s urgent desire to sign a left-back and given the rivalry between the two clubs for domestic honours.