Chelsea have reportedly rejected an offer from Leeds United for one of their players, despite him being deemed surplus to requirements.
The Blues have been working hard on trimming down Xabi Alonso’s squad ahead of deadline day on September 1, with several outcast stars securing moves away in the past few days.
Axel Disasi is joining Crystal Palace, Benoit Badiashile is off to Napoli, while Atletico Madrid are finalising a £65million transfer for Nicolas Jackson.
But they are just the tip of the iceberg, with Liam Delap, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr and Darrio Essugo among the many players who face an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
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Another is Mykhailo Mudryk, who has been cleared to play for the first time in nearly two years after his doping ban was resolved by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Football Association.
The winger, who joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a deal worth an initial £62m, took part in the club’s pre-season tour but the player has agreed to be loaned out for the upcoming campaign.
Several Premier League sides have shown an interest in the Ukraine international, including Frank Lampard’s Coventry City, who take on Arsenal in the season-opening match on Friday night.
BBC Sport now report that Leeds are very interested in Mudryk as they look to strengthen their attacking options but have seen their opening offer turned down by the Blues.
The bid fell ‘well short of Chelsea’s expectations’ but talks are ongoing and Mudryk himself is keen on the switch to Elland Road.
It is said the player would prefer to stay in England, seemingly ruling out a switch to interested clubs in Italy and Chelsea’s sister-club Strasbourg.
Additionally, it is reported that Chelsea rejected a loan offer from Brentford earlier this summer because they wanted to include an option to buy clause in the deal.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s opening fixture against Fulham, Alonso had this to say about Mudryk’s future:
‘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.’
Mudryk recorded an impressive 29 goal contributions in 44 games for Shakhtar and had managed 10 goals and 11 assists in 73 appearances for the Blues before his ban.
