In a Chelsea transfer exclusive, SportsLens understands they could rival Manchester United to sign Max Kilman as they consider new additions for next season.
Chelsea Transfer Exclusive
Max Kilman is the latest defender linked with a transfer to Manchester United, as their situation at the back appears in need of remedy this summer.
However, SportsLens can reveal that Chelsea have long standing interest in the Wolves defender that has not gone away.
Chelsea have scouted him over the past two years and they could visit the situation formally if they sense a bidding war is to get underway.
The Blues are on the lookout for another centre back signing, and this time around Premier League experience is going to be considered more strongly than it was a year ago.
Kilman, 26, is Wolves captain and signing him will not be easy. The club do not consider him available for transfer and will fight to keep hold of him if offers start to land, just as they did last year when Napoli looked to sign him.
Man United have been linked with Kilman this week as they look for help at the back next season. In terms of goals conceded this season, defensive issues may not seem like a disaster on the surface, with United conceding 40 goals in the Premier League – fewer than both Aston Villa and Tottenham.
Nevertheless, their central defensive options do not hold the same connectivity or solidity that other top teams in the country seem to have.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have strong foundations, while Villa and Spurs have taken considerable steps in recent windows to establish a long-term plan.
This week there was news that Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are both set to miss the next month of action with muscle problems. Martinez is the most reliable defender in their roster – when healthy – so to lose him almost immediately after his long-awaited return is a blow to their end-of-season prospects.
United had already been planning a defensive overhaul, and as they evaluate the problem further, it will become clear they have no choice but to do so.
Rafael Varane and Jonny Evans could be leaving the club, Lindelof is not guaranteed a role, and Harry Maguire has earned a fresh chance to salvage his reputation.
The club have lined up Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite as a top target as well as the likes of Antonio Silva, Goncalo Inacio, Jean-Claire Todibo and Jules Kounde. But Kilman is now added to the list of potential targets too.
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