Manchester United add Wolves captain Max Kilman to transfer shortlist but face Chelsea competition

Manchester United are interested in Wolves captain Max Kilman as they look to strengthen their defense, talkSPORT understands.

The Red Devils are eyeing the summer as an opportunity to revitalize a team that has looked lackluster for much of this season.

And Wolves defender Kilman has caught the eye of United staff.

The 26-year-old has played a valuable role in a stellar season for Wolves, which has seen them knock on the door of European football.

With a number of United’s central defenders injured this season, Kilman could add a much-needed option to Erik ten Hag in defense.

United recently suffered the losses of Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof who are expected to be out for a month.

Signing a defender is seen as a priority at Old Trafford and United are reluctant to pay more for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Meanwhile, Kilman, who signed for Wolves in 2018 from non-league club Maidenhead United, has started all of Wolves’ Premier League games this season.

And the Englishman’s experience was rewarded last summer when he was named captain to succeed the departing Ruben Neves.

But if the past is any guide, United will likely have more than a few difficulties recruiting the centre-back.

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Wolves have rejected a £30million bid from Napoli for Kilman in 2023, meaning they are likely to accept a substantial offer to tempt him.

Shortly after, Kilman also signed a contract extension keeping him at Wolves until 2028 – a sign of the club’s determination to retain their captain.

When Kilman signed the extension, the Wolves sporting director explained how important it had been for the club.

He said: “There was a lot of interest in Max, we had several offers, but we didn’t change wanting him to stay.

“We think he is the soul of the team, having been here for a long time now, so he was never a player we considered selling.”

United hope that stance has changed, although there has yet to be any contact between the two clubs over a possible transfer – despite the Red Devils sending staff to watch Kilman play several times this season.

To make United’s position more difficult, they also face competing interests from Chelsea, who talkSPORT understands are also keen to sign the defender.

Chelsea have also had a poor season which currently has them 12th in the Premier League table, and they could benefit from a defender of Kilman’s quality.

Next summer, Kilman will likely be spoiled for choice for potential moves, as well as a club that will be desperate not to let him leave.