Claudio Ranieri: Arsenal and Liverpool target Ben Chilwell 'stays with Leicester'
The Foxes reportedly hope to secure England under-20s left-back on to a long-term deal after encouraging FA Cup display
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri says he is not interested in speculation linking Ben Chilwell with Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Foxes are reportedly hopeful the 19-year-old will sign a new contract after it was suggested the England under-20 international is paid just £800-per-week.
The Daily Telegraph’s report on 12 January reveals the Foxes are set to offer Chilwell, described by their Italian manager as ‘our future’, a new deal to keep him at the King Power Stadium.
Chilwell started the FA Cup third round tie with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday evening, a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is known to be a keen admirer of both the promising left-back and the scouting network at Leicester, allegedly making an offer in the region of £3.5m for the youthful defender back in the summer.
With 18 months left on his contract, the hierarchy at the East Midlands club are wary that now is the time to act if they are to keep Chilwell on their books.
The Milton Keynes-born left-back spent a short loan spell with Championship side Hudderfield Town at the end of 2015 after impressing during his Foxes debut in the Capital One Cup clash with Hull City in October.
Speaking this week, Ranieri said: “We are building and looking for good, talented young players. For this reason Ben and Demarai Gray are with us and this is our goal now, to build with talented young players.
“Ben is our future and he stays with us. He had a very great match against Spurs, he was sure and outstanding. I am very surprised with how well he played, but that is what I wanted.
“I am building a very good team with 22, 23 or 24 players and now I can rotate because there are so many matches. I said too many times this is a good club with good energy, a good strategy and our fans are very close to us.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments