Man Utd decide stance on signing Ben Chilwell as Chelsea put defender up for sale

Manchester United’s stance on signing Ben Chilwell has been revealed after the defender was reportedly put up for sale.

Chilwell is one of several Chelsea players on the chopping block this summer, as Enzo Maresca looks to reduce the size of his squad.

A move to United has been proposed, with the Red Devils said to be open to adding a left-sided defender to their roster this summer.

The injured Luke Shaw is once again unavailable for Erik ten Hag, while Tyrell Malacia hasn’t featured since the end of the 2022/23 season.

However, the chances of Chilwell being the answer to United’s left-back problem appear slim, given United aren’t reported to be exploring a move.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are pursuing a permanent sale for the England international, something United aren’t willing to entertain.

Chelsea paid Leicester £45million for Chilwell in the summer of 2020 and he has played over 100 times for the club since.

However, Maresca has made clear that he isn’t part of Chelsea’s transfer plans, with the Italian hinting a move away from the club could be forthcoming.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s opening day clash against City, the ex-Leicester boss said: “It’s quite clear, I love the way he is but the problem is that he struggles with us a little bit to find his best position.

“This morning we had 22 players training, and if you ask all of them they will say they want to play against (Manchester) City on Sunday but that is impossible.”

He continued: “When they train every day and do not get any minutes, it is not good for them or for me, I need to make a decision.

“It is probably better to leave and get minutes [elsewhere]. The transfer window is open so we’ll see what happens.”

Chilwell isn’t alone in that department at the capital club, with Raheem Sterling another player whose future is up in the air.

The ex-City winger was left out of the matchday squad for Chelsea’s curtain-raiser, with Sterling’s entourage quick to release a statement criticising Maresca.

It read: “Our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity. As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.”

It’s suggested both Juventus and Bayern Munich had been contacted by Chelsea earlier this month about the possibility of signing Sterling.

Chelsea face Servette in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night, before a trip to Wolves next weekend.