Man Utd to battle Chelsea for £10m Ligue 1 full-back as Wan-Bissaka replacement

Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Chelsea for Lens wing-back Jonathan Clauss.

Clauss enjoyed an excellent 2021-22 campaign, scoring five and assisting 11 in 37 Ligue 1 appearances.

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His terrific form earned him a maiden call-up to the French national team in March and he recently featured in his country’s Nations League matches against Denmark and Croatia.

The 29-year-old can operate anywhere on the right flank, but has primarily been utilised as a right-wing-back at Lens.

According to Transfermarkt, Clauss is worth £13.5m, but reports claim the French club are willing to accept a bid in the region of £10m for the 29-year-old.

Chelsea have been monitoring Clauss for over a year amid rumours of Barcelona’s interest in club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, but United have now joined the race according to the Evening Standard.

Erik ten Hag is on the lookout for reinforcements on the right of his defence with the club looking to offload Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who could return to Crystal Palace this summer.

Atletico Madrid and Marseille are also keen, and the Ligue 1 side have already had a £6million bid rejected for the defender, who’s about to enter the final year of his contract.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have missed out on securing the signing of Nathan Ake from Manchester City this summer.

Chelsea showed strong interest in the 27-year-old, with reports claiming they had agreed a £45m deal City.

But The Athletic claim Chelsea didn’t meet City’s valuation for the centre-back, and Ake is ‘pleased to be remaining at City’ in any case, where he is a ‘popular member of the squad’.

Pep Guardiola sees him as a crucial member of the squad, due to both his quality and versatility.

Thomas Tuchel is desperate for defensive reinforcements this summer following the departures of both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at the end of their contracts.

Chelsea are on the verge of sealing a deal for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, while they are also in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a move for Presnel Kimpembe.