Manchester United have reportedly entered the race to sign Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah.
The 24-year-old is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge as he has allegedly been told by the Blues that he is free to leave in January.
Chalobah made a total of 63 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions over the last two seasons, including 34 outings last season under three different coaches in Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard.
However, the versatile defender is yet to feature under new boss Mauricio Pochettino due to a thigh injury, and it is thought that he may struggle to earn regular first-team football when he returns to full fitness.
Summer signing Axel Disasi has featured regularly in central defence alongside Thiago Silva and Levi Colwill so far this season, and Benoit Badiashile is another option at Pochettino's disposal, while Wesley Fofana will hope to gain regular game time when he eventually recovers from an ACL injury towards the end of the season.
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Reece James, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella and Ian Maatsen are other defensive options at Chelsea, meaning that Chalobah's first-team minutes could be limited when he recovers from injury.
Chalobah made his breakthrough at Chelsea under Tuchel, who now plies his trade at Bayern Munich, and according to TEAMtalk, the Bavarian boss is interested in luring the Englishman to the Allianz Arena in January.
Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund have also been credited with an interest in Chalobah, with head coach Edin Terzic and sporting director Sebastian Kehl said to be keen for BVB to win the race for his signature.
However, the report adds that both German clubs could face stern competition from Erik ten Hag's Man United, who are said to be closely monitoring Chalobah's situation at Chelsea.
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It is understood that, as things stand, Chalobah would prefer to continue his career in the Premier League, seemingly handing a boost to Man United in the race for his signature.
Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Roma are three more clubs that have been linked with a move for Chalobah, who is believed to be valued by Chelsea at around £45m and is under contract at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2028.
The potential sale of Chalobah could help Chelsea raise funds ahead of the January transfer window when the Blues will allegedly target a new central defender and striker.
Man United, meanwhile, have been tipped to make a move for a new central defender of their own in the New Year, with Chalobah one of the latest names to be linked with a switch to Old Trafford along with the likes of Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Real Sociedad's Robin Le Normand.
Oliver Thomas
