Man City backed to complete Ben Chilwell signing on one condition – pundit
Alan Hutton has insisted Man City need to strengthen at left-back.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa defender said the future of Joao Cancelo will have a bearing on whether City try to sign Ben Chilwell in the summer.
According to journalist Jack Gaughan, as relayed by City Xtra (31 January), Pep Guardiola’s side could return for Chilwell, 26, in the summer transfer window.
The England international’s Chelsea contract runs until 2025.
The defender has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons and has made just ten league appearances this season as a result.
On 4 February, Football Insider revealed that Cancelo, 28, is not expected to play for the Manchester club again after completing a shock loan-to-buy move to Bayern Munich.
The German giants are able to activate a £61million buy option at the end of the season.
Hutton suggested City’s approach for Chilwell could be dictated by Cancelo’s future.
“It would be a good move,” he told Football Insider.
“I would not have thought Chelsea would want to lose him. I think he is an integral part of their team, him and Reece James. Especially when they are both fit and playing.
“Depending on what happens with Cancelo, we will have to wait and see. But Chilwell when he is fit is a top player, one of the best in the country.
“With [Oleksandr] Zinchenko leaving to go to Arsenal, it is an area they will need to strengthen.
“[Marc] Cucurella has not really worked so we will have to wait and see. If Chilwell does go they are least have a replacement in Cucurella sitting there.“
In other news, a pundit has been ‘surprised’ by Man City as Aymeric Laporte unrest revealed.