PL player linked with Leeds could push for permanent January exit – Athletic journalist
Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori, who was recently linked with a loan move to join Leeds United, could push to leave Stamford Bridge permanently.
According to Simon Johnson of The Athletic, Tomori is being lined up to leave Frank Lampard’s side during the January transfer window.
Tomori will be allowed to leave on loan, with Chelsea having a preference of sending him on loan to another Premier League club.
However, Johnson reports that Tomori could push for a permanent exit after, with the player unhappy with his lack of game time this season.
Leeds were linked with a loan move for Tomori following injuries to both Robin Koch and Diego Llorente.
Unfortunate timing for Leeds
A loan move for Tomori could have been the ideal audition for the young Englishman to earn a permanent summer move to Elland Road.
However, Marcelo Bielsa is known to not be a fan of busy January windows and the Leeds boss has already played down much business in the new year.
Phil Hay has also reported that Leeds will do their best to avoid any rash decisions when the window opens.
As things stand, there are no suggestions about how much a permanent deal for Tomori would cost or if Chelsea would even entertain the idea.
However, with a market value of £15million, he is unlikely to come cheap if he is sold during the January window.
The rumours about Tomori’s future also coincide with the return of Llorente, who looks set to start against Burnley on Sunday.
The Spaniard’s return certainly eases some of the pressure on Bielsa’s Leeds at the back, but with Liam Cooper now also a doubt, it is a situation they must manage carefully.
In other Leeds United news, Sky Sports’ David Prutton warns Leeds ahead of ‘tough, tough’ Burnley clash