Pep Guardiola is an admirer of the England international
Manchester City are reportedly preparing to trigger the release clause in Ben Chilwell’s Leicester City contract.
Chilwell, who has established himself as a regular for Gareth Southgate’s England team in the last year, has been identified as a potential solution to the Premier League champions’ problems at left-back, where Pep Guardiola has been forced to improvise following injuries to Benjamin Mendy.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabian Delph – both midfielders – have both deputised for Mendy at times over the last two seasons.
Chilwell signed a new deal at Leicester last October which is set to expire in July 2024. According to the Telegraph, a release clause of £42m was inserted into the contract.
The 22-year-old’s impressive form for club and country over recent months have convinced Guardiola and City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain that he is worth the money.
The report claims City could make their move following their final game of the season – the FA Cup final against Watford.
It also claims that Delph may depart the Etihad this summer. Now 29, the midfielder is entering into the final year of his contract after signing for them from Aston Villa in 2015.
City are aiming to conclude all their transfer business early in the summer and are also thought to be eyeing moves for midfield reinforcements.
Atletico Madrid’s Rodri is one of several names to have been linked, with Guardiola thought to be keen on finding a replacement for 34-year-old Fernandinho . City could again exploit a release clause in his contract with the LaLiga side – said to be set at around £60m.
