Liverpool plot summer deal for Arsenal target Chilwell

Liverpool are lining up a summer move for Leicester starlet Ben Chilwell.

The promising left-back has put in some stellar performances on loan at Huddersfield, whose manager David Wagner has been keeping his good friend Jurgen Klopp informed of the 19-year-old’s qualities.

The Reds boss as well as Liverpool’s chief scout Barry Hunter have been enthused by the teenager’s mix of technique and tenacity in the Championship.

Chilwell is yet to make a Premier League appearance, but is predicted to be a future England full-back, with Arsenal already understood to have had a £3.5million bid rejected during the summer.

The Gunners are expected to register their interest again, along with Tottenham, but Liverpool are hopeful of winning the race for his signature.

Chilwell, who was recently called-up to the England Under 21 squad, is likely to return to Leicester in January following an injury to Jeffrey Schlupp.

“I’m happy that it’s happened (a loan move to the Championship) and it’s definitely something that I wanted,” he told Leicester’s official website.

“I’m thankful to the gaffer (Wagner) for putting me straight in and having the confidence to put me straight in. I was nervous to be put in straight away as I wanted to prove myself to all the new boys and show them that I was a good player.

“I’ve been wanting to play men’s football for a couple of months now so to get the opportunity to start a few games in the Championship is a massive thing for me.

“The styles of play are different and I’ve massively enjoyed playing under David Wagner as it’s a style of play which suits my game, it’s all about ball possession.”

While Liverpool are definitely keen on Chilwell, reports of their interest in Sam Byram has been overstated. The Leeds youngster is a player the Reds are watching, but there is no concrete plan for him to move to Merseyside.

Another player who could be joining Klopp’s side is Joel Matip, who is stalling on an extension with Schalke. Liverpool are hoping the Cameroon international, who will be a free agent in the summer, will opt to ink a pre-contract agreement in January.

The only alternative business next month is understood to be the confirmation of Marko Grujic’s signing from Red Star Belgrade, with the player staying at his current side on loan until the end of the season.

However, Klopp has said that Liverpool “will react” if they need to in the winter window.

“We try to be prepared all the time but this window in January isn't the easiest one. There are big prices on the market,” he explained.

“I'm not the biggest friend of the January window but if we have to react, I will react. Maybe if a player leaves us, I don't know. It's not a situation I want, though.

“We have a lot of games during the transfer window. We aren't planning on getting more players and more players and more players. But if we have to react we will.”