Chelsea FC
Chelsea FC
Chelsea have turned down an early loan offer from Leeds United for winger Mykhailo Mudryk. Talks continue, adding a fresh twist to the Chelsea transfer saga as more news of the deal emerges. The player still wants a Premier League move this summer.
Chelsea reject opening offer from Leeds
Leeds made a season-long loan approach for Mudryk, but Chelsea felt the offer fell short of their price. As reported by the BBC, both clubs are still talking, and neither side has closed the door on a new deal. Chelsea want clear terms on wages and future control before they let the winger leave this summer.
One thing working in Leeds’ favour is that the Blues seem open to a loan without any obligation to buy. That arrangement suits Chelsea well, since it lets them keep full control of Mudryk’s career path while still moving him on for the season. Leeds would cover his wages in the meantime, and further rounds of talks look likely before anything is signed.
Mykhailo Mudryk’s stats in the 2024-25 season at Chelsea, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Appearances Goals Assists
EFL Cup 2 0 1
EURO 2 0 0
Conference League 4 3 3
Mykhailo Mudryk eyes Premier League return
The 25-year-old spent twenty months out of football after failing a drug test for meldonium, a banned substance. His ban ended in July this year, and he has since returned to first-team training under new boss Xabi Alonso. Mudryk made several late appearances during Chelsea’s pre-season tour, working hard to rebuild his sharpness and match fitness.
Mudryk is understood to want steady, regular football above all else this season. That would help explain his limited interest in a move to Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club. Staying close to home within English football seems to matter more to him than starting fresh in a new country.
Regular game time in one settled team would help Mykhailo Mudryk more than a brand new league right now. His pace and direct running style suit a fast, attacking system built around quick transitions. Leeds can offer exactly that platform to rebuild his form and sharpen his touch near goal.
Leeds chase bargain deal amid rival interest
The Yorkshire club have already been busy this summer window, bringing in four new faces. Their arrivals include forward Harry Wilson from Fulham and goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City. Their chase for Mudryk fits a wider pattern of picking up good players on flexible terms. Brentford also looked into a deal but wanted a permanent option, which Chelsea firmly rejected in early talks. It is a rerun of their interest in Mudryk years earlier, before Chelsea signed him from Shakhtar Donetsk. That deal, in January 2023, was reported at an initial fee in the region of £62m, rising to around £88.5m with add-ons.
Coventry City have shown interest too, and a Strasbourg move hasn’t been ruled out. Chelsea are weighing whether to send midfielder Dario Essugo to the French club this window. For the moment, Leeds still look like the most likely destination should talks move forward again soon.
Chelsea striker Liam Delap had drawn interest from Leeds earlier this summer, though that talk has gone quiet. Xabi Alonso will hope this transfer saga gets resolved soon, giving his squad time to settle before the season begins. A permanent stay at Stamford Bridge remains possible, though it is the less likely path at this stage.
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