Ben Chilwell to Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp ready to table £4million bid for Leicester City prodigy
The highly-rated left-back has impressed while on loan at Huddersfield Town
Liverpool are weighing up a £4million bid for highly-rated Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell.
The England under-20 international captain is currently on loan at Huddersfield Town and has not yet made a Premier League appearance for his parent club.
However, according to The Telegraph, despite this top-flight inexperience, Jurgen Klopp is prepared to step up his club’s interest in Chilwell during the January transfer window.
The former Borussia Dortmund head coach had intended to only move for the 19-year-old next summer but now feels his hand has been forced by his squad’s lack of defensive options. Alberto Moreno is currently the club’s first-choice left-back, with only youngster Brad Smith and out-of-favour Jose Enrique in reserve.
Klopp has been in close contact with Huddersfield counterpart David Wagner, who coached the reserve team at the Westfalenstadion from 2011 until his appointment by the Championship club last month.
Wagner has reportedly spoken glowingly of Chilwell’s progress to Klopp, while Liverpool’s chief scout Barry Hunter has watched the England under-20 captain on several occasions this season.
Chilwell, who only made his professional debut during Leicester’s Capital One Cup tie against Hull City in October, was the subject of a rejected £3.5million bid by Arsenal last summer. The Gunners, as well as north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, are believed to still be interested in the defender.
Leicester, however, are expected to tell all interested parties that their prodigy is not for sale. Chilwell’s loan spell at the John Smith’s Stadium is set to end on 3 January and, following the recent injury to left-sided player Jeffrey Schlupp, Claudio Ranieri may hand first-team opportunities to the youngster.
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