Manchester United could now sign a defender Rio Ferdinand once called “unbelievable” – amid reports INEOS are keen.
The Red Devils endured something of a defensive crisis during the 2023/24 campaign – as early as December, Jonny Evans and Willy Kambwala were called upon in an emergency to become Manchester United’s tenth different pairing in the heart of defence, amid injuries to Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw.
Now, Manchester United are looking to bolster the defensive department…
Manchester United could bid for Trevoh Chalobah
A story from the Independent now claims that Manchester United could submit a bid to sign Chelsea No.14 Trevoh Chalobah.
It is said that Chelsea are willing to sell the 24-year-old this summer to stay aligned with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The Blues hope to sell either Chalobah or Conor Gallagher before June 30th in order to avoid a breach of these rules, and would take £25m for the Freetown-born defender.
INEOS are keen to focus recruitment on signing players under the age of 25 – so the Chelsea academy graduate fits the model implemented by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Manchester United’s need for defenders has only increased after Varane was released, upon the expiry of his contract.
Rio Ferdinand would be pleased if a deal materialised
As aforesaid, Ferdinand – who made 455 appearances for Manchester United – has previously heaped praise on Chalobah, so the Old Trafford icon would presumably be pleased if an agreement was reached with Chelsea.
Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel back in August 2021, the 45-year-old said: “The big thing for me is Trevoh Chalobah.
“I watched him in the Super Cup game the other day with BT in Belfast. Massively impressed with him, the way he defended. He had three or four big moments defensively where he pulled the hat out of the bag, it was unbelievable.”
In our view, Chalobah has been hard done by at Chelsea, as the signings of players like Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi shoved him aside, even though it is hard to argue that the French duo are any better than the £77,000-a-week man.
Some at Chelsea were even said to be left surprised by how Mauricio Pochettino treated him.
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Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Manchester United could soon firm up their interest with a bid.