Manchester United made an approach to sign Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong in the summer but were knocked back by their Premier League rivals.

Acheampong, 20, is regarded as one of the most highly-rated young players in the world, having made over 50 appearances for boyhood club Chelsea.

The versatile defender joined Chelsea’s academy at the age of eight and made his first-team debut in May 2024, four months after signing his first professional contract.

Acheampong made 30 appearances in all competitions last season and has featured in six of Chelsea’s first seven league games of the current campaign.

The youngster’s development caught the attention of a number of clubs but Chelsea declared over the summer that Acheampong was ‘untouchable’ in terms of an exit.

According to talkSPORT, Chelsea rejected offers from clubs across Europe and even fielded an enquiry from Premier League rivals Manchester United.

United’s focus over the summer was on midfield reinforcements but Michael Carrick was also keen to bolster his defensive options.

In response to the substantial interest in Acheampong, Chelsea are ready to hand the academy graduate a bumper new contract.

Acheampong’s current deal expires in 2029 but Chelsea are preparing to extend his terms after recently agreeing new deals with Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo.

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Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 last time out and Acheampong was singled out for praise after the away win by ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy.

‘The defence is improving,’ Murphy said on BBC’s Match of the Day. ‘It was a big thing getting a clean sheet.

‘There had been a lot of talk about their defensive fragility and they will be pleased to have put that to bed today.

‘I thought the wing-backs, Acheampong and Hato, were terrific, both of them. There was a composure about them in the second half.

‘I thought they managed the game well and they’ve got strength in depth. That clean sheet will do the players at the back and the goalkeeper the world of good.’

Chelsea, sitting fourth in the Premier League, welcome London rivals Tottenham to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.