Manchester United set to battle Chelsea for Ashley Phillips

Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly set to battle over the signing of youngster Ashley Phillips from Blackburn Rovers.

The 16-year-old has already made the step up to Premier League 2 level this season and is earning a lot of praise with his performances at the heart of the defense.

England’s youth cap is under contract, so it will cost a fortune to get it.

Phillips is rated the best discovery at Rovers for years and a true top prospect at the club and country level.

United raided Blackburn for 27-cap England star Phil Jones at the start of Venky’s reign at Ewood Park a decade ago.

Chelsea is on the hunt for the best youngsters for its well-oiled assembly line.

Everton and Tottenham have also been eyeing Phillips, but United and Chelsea are at the top of the queue.

Boss Tony Mowbray certainly feels that Phillips is moving forward.

Phillips has registered two goals in eight appearances for Rovers U23s this term, including one in a 6-0 thrashing of Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday, during which he captained the team.

According to The Sun, Man United and Chelsea now regularly send scouts to watch the 6-foot-3 defender, who has won three caps for the England under-17 team.

However, the report adds that both clubs will need to pay a ‘fortune’ to sign Phillips, who is under contract at Ewood Park until 2023 and has already been tipped for big things by Tony Mowbray.

The defender previously represented Wales at youth level and was an unused substitute in Blackburn’s 3-2 loss to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup last month.

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