Manchester United linked to Callum Hudson-Odoi

Manchester United have joined the race to sign Chelsea teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi, according to reports.

The Mail claims that United are now one of several clubs who have an interest in the 18-year-old winger, who made his debut for England on Friday night during the 5-0 win over the Czech Republic.

Other sides said to be interested are Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and German champions Bayern Munich. It had been reported that Dortmund were lining up Hudson-Odoi as a replacement for Jadon Sancho, who is rumoured to be close to a move to United in the summer, for between £70-100million.

Hudson-Odoi is out of contract at Chelsea in the summer of 2020, and no progress has been made on a new contract in recent months. Bayern had an offer of £35 million rejected in the winter transfer window, but that was at a time when Chelsea held out more hope of him signing a new deal.

However, matters have been complicated since Chelsea have been given a transfer ban, and with Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard all possibly on their way out of the club at the end of the season, Chelsea can ill afford to lose Hudson-Odoi, even if it means losing him for nothing, or close to nothing, the summer after next.

Hudson-Odoi would represent a cheaper alternative to Sancho, but the temptation is just to sign both of them and then attempt to bind Alexis Sanchez. United will likely have space on the wings in their squad with Juan Mata’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, with no renewal in sight.