According to the Telegraph and the Daily Mail, Arsenal are preparing to launch another bid for Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell.
The 19-year-old left-back has returned to the Foxes after a loan spell at Huddersfield Town and played in both of their recent FA Cup games against Spurs. Having watched him during his loan spell and for Leicester City u21s, Arsenal seem sure that Chilwell is a player who could make it at the club.
The Telegraph report that Arsenal had a £3.5m bid for Chilwell rejected in the summer, and there’s no doubt Leicester City will dig their heels in even more now that they are battling with us for the Premier League title. What does favour Arsenal is Chilwell’s contract – it expires 18 months from now and he is on just £800 a week. Leicester have been talking to him about a new £2,500 a week deal but the Gunners are likely to offer a far higher amount and his head may be turned.
With Tottenham and Liverpool also reportedly interested, Arsenal may have to act fast.
With just 18 months remaining on his current deal, Leicester could be forced into selling Chilwell to avoid losing a lot of money. A move for the defender this month would be likely scuppered by an injury to Jeffrey Schlupp, but expect Arsenal to attempt again in the summer. A report on the Daily Mail website says Arsenal would be willing to pay over £5m, but it’s doubtful even that would tempt Leicester into negotiations before February arrives.
Earlier this week Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal signed a new long-term contract, and we have already speculated what that may mean for Kieran Gibbs. The England international has played just one Premier League game in his favoured position all season, and the addition of a talented teenager already playing professional football would signify an issue for the 26-year-old.
Should Chilwell be signed, he is the perfect age to become Monreal’s understudy.