Leicester City interested in signing £50m Chelsea player in January with Steve Cooper keen

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea’s first-team defender is now being linked with a potential return to his former club in 2025.

While Chelsea have dazzled as an attacking force in the opening months of Enzo Maresca’s reign, there’s certainly plenty of work to do when it comes to their defence. So far, the Blues have conceded 12 goals in their first 11 games across all competitions this season.

It’s interesting that GiveMeSport recently reported that Chelsea want to sign a versatile defender who can play both centre-back and right-back.

Now, there’s fresh rumours that suggest a current Blues defender is attracting transfer interest ahead of January.

• READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano gives update on Chelsea’s striker transfer plans for January

Leicester interested in Ben Chilwell

According to FootballTransfers, Premier League side Leicester City are keen on re-signing Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell.

It is explained that Chelsea will allow their 27-year-old defender to leave the club after he slipped down the pecking order under Maresca. As a result, he’s only made one first-team appearance so far this campaign.

The report says that Leicester are interested in bringing Chilwell back to the King Power Stadium on loan to help their struggling backline.

Apparently, the English left-back is open to the idea of returning to the East Midlands. It’s further added that Leicester manager Steve Cooper is a ‘big fan’ of the Chelsea man as he monitors the situation closely ahead of January.

Fierce competition for Ben Chilwell

Chelsea signed Chilwell from Leicester in a £50m deal (Sky Sports) back in 2020, and he’s had some superb moments at Stamford Bridge. However, it feels like the writing is on the wall for his Blues career to be over soon.

If the Foxes push to re-sign the full-back, they could actually face some stiff competition.

Journalist Simon Phillips recently claimed via Substack that Crystal Palace have serious interest in signing Chilwell. There’s further competition for the Chelsea left-back from Fulham, Manchester United and Ipswich Town as well.

Chilwell’s not always had the warmest of receptions from supporters against former club Leicester, so it’ll be interesting to see what happens if he ends up rejoining them.