Manchester United and Chelsea have registered and interest in signing Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters.
The 25-year-old has been a standout performer for the Saints after arriving from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2020.
However, the defender – who has made 16 appearances and scored one goal so far this season – has been linked with a move during the January transfer window.
Walker-Peters started his career at Tottenham but joined the Saints for a fee of around £12m plus add-ons in 2020 after a successful loan spell at the club.
Ralph Hasenhuttl is eager to keep hold of the star defender – who was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the first time after excelling during the 2021-2022 campaign.
However, negotiations over his contract extension have stalled and the 25-year-old is said to be interested in leaving the Saints during the January transfer window, according to talkSPORT.
Therefore, Manchester United have earmarked Walker-Peters as a potential replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, should he leave later this month.
Wan-Bissaka could leave the Red Devils during the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag.
Wan-Bissaka is growing frustrated with his lack of pitch time as the Dutch manager has been favouring Diogo Dalot at right-back.
Chelsea have also registered an interest in signing Walker-Peters due to Reece James’ ongoing injury problems this season.
The 23-year-old defender missed the World Cup for England after picking up an agonising knee injury.
However, there was hope he could push on in 2023 after returning to action in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth.
But, the 23-year-old defender picked up another issue and was forced off the pitch after just 53 minutes.
James signalled to the bench to be substituted after injuring himself with what appeared to be an innocuous pass in the 49th minute.
As a result, his first game back since he sustained the original problem during a 2-0 win over AC Milan in October was cut short.
He was subsequently replaced by Chelsea’s club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and has not featured since.
