Liverpool's £7m bid for defender rejected
Liverpool have had a £7 million bid for Leicester’s left back Ben Chilwell rejected by the Premier League champions.
Negotiations are currently at a stalemate with Leicester seeking at least £10 million for the 19-year-old, who has one year remaining on his current deal.
Liverpool are considering their next move, and may turn their attentions to Hull’s highly-rated Scottish international Andy Robertson if no deal can be struck for the England youth player.
Leicester have no cause to soften their stance with the club’s Thai owners in no need for any transfer dividends as they seek to enhance their squad rather than lose players.
Chilwell is understood to be keen to talk to Liverpool but will wait to see if the asking price is met. He has been offered a new deal, Leicester hoping an extensive pay rise and the promise of Champions League football in the season ahead will encourage Chilwell to stay.
Liverpool may yet be prepared to bid higher, offering instalments to any potential deal which may meet the £10 million asking price.
Manager Jurgen Klopp is eager to have most, if not all, of his business done by the time his pre-season schedule is in full swing given the importance of the fitness work his players will be undertaking.
A left back is a priority to challenge Alberto Moreno. Liverpool released Jose Enrique and have been short of cover in the position, although the recovering Joe Gomez has played well there previously.
Chilwell suffered a knee injury while on international duty with the England Under 20 squad earlier this summer, but is expected to recover in time for the first week of pre-season.
Other Liverpool targets are Polish winger Piotr Zielinski and Southampton’s Sadio Mane. Hopes are fading at Anfield Borussia Monchengladbach’s Mahmoud Dahoud will be available this summer, despite the club’s efforts.
Source: The Telegraph
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