Man Utd & West Ham Set For Transfer Battle After Rivals Agree To Sell 61-Cap Target

The transfer window is closed but managers are planning ahead for January and next summer so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip. Today, Man Utd and West Ham are linked with Chelsea defender Gary Cahill….

Manchester United and West Ham are ready to do-battle over the signing of Gary Cahill after Chelsea agreed to let the out-of-favour defender leave this winter, according to the Express.

Cahill has been a superb signing since joining Chelsea from Bolton in 2012 as he’s made almost 300 appearances for the club and has won a whole host of honours including 2 Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League and 2 domestic cups during his time in west London.

However, the 32-year-old has struggled to establish himself under new boss Maurizio Sarri this season with the centre-back yet to start a single Premier League game and has been forced to make-do with run-outs in the cup competitions with David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger the preferred central defensive pairing.

Cahill admitted recently that he may have to leave Chelsea in January if his situation doesn’t improve over the coming weeks and the Express claim the Blues won’t stand in his way and are willing to let the experienced defender leave if the right offer comes in.

A permanent transfer may have to wait until the end of the season as the newspaper says an initial loan deal if more likely this winter with the Express claiming that Manchester United and West Ham are among the clubs showing a keen interest in offering Cahill a fresh start.

A Mouriho favourite

Jose Mourinho has been on the look out for defensive reinforcements for some time and is being tipped to dip back in to the market for a new centre-back in January after failing to land any of his prime targets last summer.

The Portuguese coach knows Cahill well as the pair won the league together at Chelsea during the 2014/15 campaign when the 61-cap England international played a key role in Mourinho’s title-winning side.

In many ways, Cahill would be a typical Mourinho signing as he likes to work with players he knows he can rely on but many Manchester United fans may be underwhelmed if they do end up signing the out-of-favour Chelsea defender.

United are used to competing for the top talent around the globe so some fans may not be too pleased if they end up signing a so-called Chelsea ‘reject’ after being linked with the likes of Raphael Varane, Jerome Boateng and Harry Maguire in recent months.

I personally think a move to West Ham would make more sense for Cahill if he does leave Chelsea this winter but it seems United will be right in the mix for his signature, if the Express’s report is accurate.