Chelsea to go head-to-head with Manchester United for Bradley Locko | OneFootball

Chelsea are showing serious interest in Manchester United left back target Bradley Locko.

United put in an outstanding defensive display yesterday to resist Manchester City and win the FA Cup 2-1 against their cross-city rivals.

However, this season has seen the club concede a mammoth 85 goals in all competitions and there is much work to be done on the defensive department despite the sweet ending to the season.

Erik ten Hag’s men have played the majority of the season with no recognised left back with both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia suffering long-term injuries.

This has meant that Players’ Player of the Year, Diogo Dalot, has had to fill in at left back, and despite doing an admirable job, will surely be moved to his more natural position of right back next season.

It has been reported that the Red Devils will certainly aim to bring in a left full back this term and they have recently been linked to Stade Brestois 29’s Locko.

The French defender has been described as “the perfect modern fullback profile. He’s incredibly balanced both as an inverted fullback and as a more bombing fullback” and would provide strong competition for Luke Shaw.

However, GIVEMESPORT claim that Premier League rivals are aiming to spoil United’s party when it comes to the Ligue 1 player.

They report that “Chelsea have pinpointed Brest star Bradley Locko as a target ahead of the transfer window reopening for business in the coming weeks.”

The Blues “have been keeping tabs on Locko, according to GMS sources, as they are strongly considering whether to acquire a new left-back to provide stiff competition for Ben Chilwell.”

It has also “emerged that Brest have put him up for sale and are willing to entertain bids in the region of £25million as they feel they can profit from his eye-catching performances over the course of the campaign.”

This sort of fee would be of little trouble to either United or Chelsea, especially for a player as sought-after as Locko.

United’s FA Cup win against City yesterday was not only for bragging rights but it also provided the Red Devils with Europa League football next season.

A consequence of this was United taking Chelsea’s place and knocking them down to the third tier UEFA Europa Conference League.

This could be vital for United’s summer business as offering European football will surely attract more players and especially if they are going head-to-head with the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United for the same targets.

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