Man Utd enter race to sign CRUCIAL Chelsea star

Cameron Smith

30 May 2024 14:30 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah as they look to sign a replacement for Raphael Varane.

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Varane, 31, has left the club upon the expiration of his contract and Erik ten Hag’s side are currently pursuing a number of options as they look to sign a successor to the Frenchman.

Gleison Bremer, Ronald Araujo and Jean-Clair Todibo are among their right-footed targets, while Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is Man Utd’s priority left-footed centre-back signing.

The Toffees aren’t willing to budge on their €75 million asking price for the Englishman, but they are lining up a move for Lyon’s Jake O’Brien as a replacement, FootballTransfers understands.

Luton Town defender Teden Mengi is also an option for Sean Dyche’s side, we have been told.

However, while they remain determined to sign Branthwaite, Man Utd are also pondering a potential move for Chalobah, according to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney.

The 24-year-old was one of Chelsea’s key players during their upturn in form at the end of the campaign, yet the Blues are expected to sell him to generate ‘pure profit.’

As a result, Man Utd are reportedly considering a summer move for Chalobah as they look to bolster their backline.

Trevoh Chalobah is vital for Chelsea

Chelsea only lost one of the 13 games in which Chalobah started during the 2023-24 campaign - the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City - while the only Premier League game they lost following his return to injury in February was the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal.

Chalobah was incidentally benched for that game, meaning the Blues didn’t lose a single league match with the Englishman in the starting XI last season.

However, he counts as ‘pure profit’ due to being an academy graduate and Chelsea are expected to accept offers of around €30m, despite his vital importance last campaign.