Manchester United are reportedly set to make a move for veteran Chelsea defender Gary Cahill as they seek defensive reinforcements in January.
As per a report from the Daily Express, Manchester United are ready to swoop in for former England international Gary Cahill, after Chelsea gave the defender a go-ahead to leave the club on loan in the January transfer window.
The 32-year-old Cahill has been with Chelsea for over six years now, having joined the club from Bolton Wanderers in January 2012. The Englishman has gone on to rack up 288 appearances for the West Londoners, winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, a League Cup, along with the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League trophies as well.
However, the defender has fallen out of favour this season at Stamford Bridge under new manager Maurizio Sarri. So far in the 2018-19 campaign, Cahill has made just a solitary appearance in the Premier League, which also came from the bench.
He has started three of the Blues’ four Europa League encounters and both their Carabao Cup fixtures, though. But, with playing time not as forthcoming as he desires, Cahill is believed to be seriously considering an exit in the January transfer window.
The Blues have now decided to heed the seasoned campaigner’s request and are prepared to allow him to move out on loan till the end of the season, with a permanent departure on the cards in the summer.
This development has put Chelsea’s Premier League rivals Manchester United on high-alert. The Red Devils are seeking defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window, following their disastrous start to the 2018-19 Premier League campaign.
Manchester United have already conceded 21 goals in their 12 league outings and now boast a negative goal difference. Only the bottom three clubs and 15th placed Burnley have shipped in more goals than the 20-time English champions this season. And in order to address that issue, Manchester United are set to boost their backline with a new addition in January.
A number of names have been mentioned, ranging from Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar to Juventus defender Medhi Benatia. However, manager Jose Mourinho is understood to be keen on a reunion with his former ward, Cahill, in the winter window.
The 32-year-old may not be playing at the same level he once was, but his experience and leadership qualities at the back are something that this Manchester United side are severely lacking this season. Cahill might not prove to be the most popular acquisition and he would just be a short-term fix at best, but his presence could help the Red Devils in the second half of the campaign.
Cahill is also being chased by Southampton, as well as EFL Championship clubs Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday. An exit from Chelsea in January seems like a distinct possibility for the former England international, but it remains to be seen if he makes the switch to Manchester United or moves elsewhere.
