Liverpool “believe they have won the race” to sign Ben Chilwell

May 20, 2016
Henry Jackson

Liverpool are increasingly confident of bringing Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell to Anfield this summer, according to reports on Friday.

Dominic King of the Daily Mail is among those who claims Jurgen Klopp believes he has got his man, despite interest from other clubs for the highly-rated left-back. Arsenal, most notably, failed to complete a deal for him in January.

It is reported that Chilwell is seen as a long-term replacement for Alberto Moreno, with the Spaniard enduring a difficult evening in Wednesday’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla.

At just 19 years of age, Chilwell is regarded as one of the most exciting young English players around, and he is likely to cost Liverpool around £3 million.

The England U21 international may feel a move away from Leicester is needed, following a severe lack of first-team opportunities this season.

Christian Fuchs was the preferred option at left-back for Claudio Ranieri’s title-winners, with Chilwell appearing just three times in cup competitions, and not at all in the Premier League.

He spent part of the season on loan at Championship side Huddersfield Town, featuring eight times before returning to Leicester in January.

The Foxes have tried to persuade their prized asset to sign a new contract with the club, but they appear resigned to him moving in the summer.

Left-back is clearly an area that needs strengthening at Liverpool, with Moreno once again showing he is not good enough on Wednesday night.

Defensively, he was all over the place, playing a crucial role in the Reds conceding an equaliser seconds into the second-half, and these lapses in concentration have become an all too recurring theme.

Germany international Jonas Hector is another left-back who has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in recent times, and it may be that Klopp opts to bring both him and Chilwell in.

The 48-year-old has always been an advocate of youth, and he clearly sees something in the teenager that he feels is worth acquiring.