Ben Chilwell: Liverpool target signs new five-year contract with Premier League champions Leicester City

Leicester hope Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Drinkwater and Riyad Mahrez will be next

Ben Chilwell was a target for Arsenal and Liverpool (Getty)

Leicester City have confirmed defender Ben Chilwell has signed a new five-year contract with the Premier League champions, turning down the opportunity to join Liverpool.

The 19-year-old, who had a year remaining on his previous deal, is considered as one of the most exciting English young players in the game and has been watched by the Reds' scouting team during Leicester's pre-season schedule in the past fortnight.

Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, was tipped off about the left-back’s talents last January by former Borussia Dortmund assistant David Wagner after he managed Chilwell during a short spell together at Huddersfield Town last season.

However, King Power chiefs have finally secured the youngster's long-term future and hope title-winners Kasper Schmeichel, Danny Simspon, Danny Drinkwater and Riyad Mahrez will follow his lead in the coming days.

Claudio Ranieri, the Leicester manager, told lcfc.com: “It’s fantastic news for us. Ben is a player with a big future and I am very happy that future will be with Leicester City. Ever since I arrived in Leicester, Ben has been a young player that has shown a lot of promise.

“He has all the attributes you would want in a defender and shows a lot of maturity for a player of just 19. He has come back for pre-season in very good condition and is already showing that he is ready to push for a place in the team.”

The Foxes signed Demarai Gray from Birmingham City in January for £3.75m in part because of the manner in which the left-sided winger linked up with Chilwell on the flank while on duty for England at youth level.

Leicester consider the Chilwell and Gray partnership to be central to their future vision for the football club, highlighted by their slow but steady promotion through the ranks.