Arsenal face competition if they want to land next Ashley Cole

On the back of absolutely no Premier League evidence, Arsenal are keen to make young Leicester full-back Ben Chilwell a late January addition.

The defender has only made three senior appearances for the Foxes in his career, all of them coming in domestic cup competitions this season, but the displays have been enough to convince the Gunners that he’s worth a bid.

The London Evening Standard report that the Emirates outfit had a bid for Chilwell knocked back in the summer and are returning during the winter’s shopping season to test Leicester’s resolve once again.

There is, however, competition for the 19-year-old’s signature. Spurs, according to the same publication, are also on the trail of the left-back having watched him at close quarters during the recent two FA Cup ties against the Foxes in the third round.

Chilwell impressed in both of those games against Mauricio Pochettino’s men but it is thought that Arsenal remain in the driving seat for any potential deal.

Both of the north Londoners have two established options in Chilwell’s position, so first-team opportunities are likely to be scant for the Milton Keynes native should he move to the capital.

Considering the England youth international hasn’t been quite able to crack Claudio Ranieri’s Premier League lineup, it would be ludicrous to suggest that the youngster will be an immediate option for either Pochettino or Arsene Wenger.

A £3m fee suggests that both pursuers see Chilwell as a player for the future and would likely loan him out upon his arrival.

A better career plan would be to stay at Leicester, who remain on course for a Champions League spot at odds of 4/11, and work to overthrow either Jeffrey Schlupp or Christian Fuchs in the Italian’s left-back pecking order.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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