Chelsea will not be rushed into a decision on Leeds United transfer target Mykhailo Mudryk, insists head coach Xabi Alonso.
Mudryk emerged as a potential late-summer target for Leeds last week and the YEP understands a season-long loan remains possible. Chelsea are believed to have rejected an initial offer from Elland Road but talks are ongoing.
The 25-year-old is expected to leave Chelsea and is currently part of a group training away from the first-team core. But with just eight days of the transfer window remaining a decision is needed soon.
Leeds United remain in talks over the possible loan of Mykhailo Mudryk.placeholder image
Leeds United remain in talks over the possible loan of Mykhailo Mudryk. | Getty Images
Chelsea kick off their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at Fulham tonight. And ahead of that short journey, head coach Alonso said any decision will be taken on their time, with no rush.
Asked if Mudryk will be in tonight’s squad at Craven Cottage, Alonso told The Standard: “We will see. We still have time to decide, and we don't have to rush on many decisions and at the right time we will take them, at the moment not yet.”
Here at the YEP, we're running a HALF PRICE subscription deal throughout pre-season. Subscribe to ensure you catch every inch of our Leeds United coverage next season.
Leeds aren’t thought to be the only side interested in Mudryk, who is on the comeback trail after serving 20 months of a four-year ban for alleged doping. The winger’s case was resolved with the Football Association in July after testing positive for banned substance meldonium, which he’s always insisted was never consumed intentionally.
Mudryk is thought to be on the radar of several clubs across the Premier League and Europe, with Chelsea believed to prefer a loan move to their French sister club, Strasbourg. According to multiple reports, the Ukrainian’s preference is to remain in England which could hand Leeds the edge.
Elland Road chiefs remain in talks over a potential deal but according to reports, their initial offer fell below the terms Chelsea expected. It could be that Stamford Bridge chiefs want a loan fee paid for their speedy forward, while wage coverage will also be a point of negotiation between clubs.
Brenden Aaronson started at left-wing for Leeds in their 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Noah Okafor came off the bench midway through the second-half with Daniel Farke previously admitting his Swiss winger wasn’t immediately fit to start in the Premier League.
Leeds are due back at Forest in the Carabao Cup second round on Tuesday night. Farke also has the likes of Daniel James and Willy Gnonto to call on out wide.