Leeds United agree Ethan Ampadu transfer with Chelsea for first Daniel Farke signing, medical to come – Phil Hay
Leeds United are set to make Ethan Ampadu the first senior signing of the summer transfer window after agreeing a deal with Chelsea, Phil Hay reports.
The Welsh international is set to arrive at Elland Road, pending a successful medical, for an initial £7million fee to become the first arrival of the Daniel Farke Era.
Ampadu, 22, made 12 senior appearances for Chelsea but has spent time out on loan for the past four seasons at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia and most recently Spezia, where he made 34 total appearances.
Reporting via Twitter The Athletic’s Hay wrote Monday afternoon (17 July): “Leeds United and Chelsea reach agreement over a deal for Ethan Ampadu. Initial fee of around £7m with add-ons attached.
“Clears the way for a medical and for Ampadu to become the club’s first signing of the summer.”
Starting point
While Ampadu has frequently been used as a centre back and his versatility is likely to have been a factor in the Whites targeting him, he is surely expected to be a central midfielder primarily at Elland Road.
Tyler Adams’ future hangs in the balance but Marc Roca, Weston McKennie, and possibly Adam Forshaw will all be missing from last season’s crop once the new campaign starts, so arrivals had become key.
With 43 international caps already and extensive first team experience in England and Italy at a young age the Stamford Bridge man looks like a smart signing.
There were high hopes for him in West London when he first broke into the first team, but as with so many young talents at Chelsea he got lost in the turnover of managers, new signings and the loan cycle.
He will be hoping to arrest his unfortunate streak of three consecutive relegations with Leeds United, and instead put a promotion on his CV.
It has been some time coming but at last incoming signings appear to be the order of the day, and assuming there are no late hitches with this one it appears a very encouraging man to start off with.
In other Leeds United news, there is “finally” an expectation that takeover news is imminent from the EFL.