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Manchester City are plotting a stunning move for £50million-rated Leicester defender Ben Chilwell.

Left-back Chilwell signed a new £110,000-per-week deal that runs until 2024 just two months ago, but that hasn't stopped the champions putting the 21 year-old on their January wish list.

Chilwell has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, confirming his huge potential by establishing himself as the Foxes first-choice left-back and breaking into Gareth Southgate's England side.

He has started the Three Lions' last four matches, helping them reach the Nations League finals next summer.

Man City hoped Benjamin Mendy would be their answer long term at left-back when they spent £52m to sign him from Monaco ahead of last season. But injury problems have restricted him to just 16 starts, forcing them to consider their options.

(Image: PA Wire)

Mendy missed most of the Blues' title-winning campaign with a cruciate injury in his right knee, another seven games with a damaged foot earlier this term and is now expected to be out until late February with a meniscus problem in his left knee.

The France international also earned a ticking off from Guardiola over his social media activity and tested his manager's patience again in September by turning up late for treatment the day after attending an Anthony Joshua title fight at Wembley.

He was fined for being late to training ahead of the season opener at Arsenal too, while Guardiola made him move out of Manchester city centre to reduce the potential distractions.

(Image: Getty)

Mendy's absences have forced the manager to either use midfielders Fabian Delph or Oleksandr Zinchenko as left-backs or ask defenders Danilo or Aymeric Laporte to fill in there.

That new contract will give Leicester plenty of confidence they can fend off any admirers of one of their star players, but boss Claude Puel admits they will have to show they can match the ambition of the likes of Chilwell to hang onto their prized assets.

Puel said: “If they can see the club makes improvements in its structure and in the quality of the squad to perform and compete with the top clubs in the table, I think we can respond to their ambition.

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“I hope we can continue to improve and show the necessary ambition to satisfy all of these players to continue with Leicester.

“For the moment, I think there is a fantastic feeling between the club and them. They are happy to play for Leicester City but of course we need to match their ambition.

“They need to think they can perform with this club at the top of the table and to think they can win something.”