Fulham to rival Manchester United for £25m Chelsea academy graduate considered 'pure profit'

According to the Evening Standard, Fulham have returned to Chelsea for Trevoh Chalobah as they look for defensive reinforcements. The Cottagers are short in the defensive department and could turn to the Chelsea man as the solution. Chalobah can multitask, as he's comfortable playing both as a right-back and a central defender. If he did make a switch across west London, it would represent a reverse move to that of Tosin Adarabioyo, who has joined Chelsea as a free agent from Fulham.

Chelsea are quietly encouraging bids for the English defender, who was overlooked by Gareth Southgate for the Euros this summer despite being one of the in-form players for the Blues at the end of last season. The report further adds that Chelsea values the 24-year-old, who has a four-year deal at the club, at around £25 million, with Manchester United also interested now that manager Erik ten Hag’s future has been sorted.

Why Chelsea are looking to sell:

Chalobah came through Chelsea’s academy, and his sale will represent what the Premier League sustainability rules term as pure profit. In January, LondonWorld was told Bayern Munich considered signing him, but he was nursing an injury at that time, which led the club to go for Tottenham’s Eric Dier instead.

Last season, despite a slow start after picking up a knee injury in pre-season, he recovered to play 17 games, score a goal, and help Chelsea move from 11th on the league table to sixth, securing Europa League football. Chelsea are looking to meet the league sustainability rules and are widely reported to be willing to sell both Chalobah and midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer. They have already invested heavily in the midfield area, but the lack of Champions League football and the income that brings has meant they are now looking for solutions, and generating funds through player sales is one of the ways.