Manchester United 'to rival Chelsea for £80m Ben Chilwell'

Manchester United have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race to sign Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell this summer.

The England international has been identified as one of Chelsea's top defensive targets for the ongoing window as they look to bolster a backline which shipped 54 goals in the Premier League last season.

The Blues have baulked at Leicester's £80m asking price, though, with the Foxes thought to value Chilwell as highly as Harry Maguire when he joined Man United in a world-record deal last year.

Chelsea's talks with Chilwell have slowed as a result, and The Mirror reports that United could look to jump ahead of their Premier League rivals in the race for his signature.

Leicester are hopeful of creating a bidding war for the 23-year-old with other Champions League clubs also thought to be interested, and Chelsea could therefore be forced to up their offer for the full-back.

Chilwell came through the ranks with Leicester and is contracted to the club until 2024, but he is thought to be hopeful of a move away from the King Power Stadium this summer.