Chelsea stance on Alfie Gilchrist loan shared after Leeds United transfer update
Chelsea want to send Leeds United target Alfie Gilchrist on loan in the Championship despite interest from Como, according to Ben Jacobs.
The journalist reported via Give Me Sport (23 July) that despite suggestions the young defender could join Cesc Fabregas’ side, the Blues feel a loan move to the second tier would be better for his development.
Leeds enquired about the 20-year-old’s availability earlier in the window alongside Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers, while both Sheffield United and Preston North End have sent loan proposals.
Gilchrist has been left out of Chelsea’s squad for their pre-season tour of the United States of America and will remain at Cobham with a separate group until his future is resolved.
Will Leeds United sign Alfie Gilchrist amid Chelsea exit speculation?
Leeds United were interested in signing Gilchrist earlier in the window when they were lacking depth both at right-back and centre-back, but over the last few weeks that situation has changed completely at Elland Road.
The signings of Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon ensure that the Whites now have several quality options in both positions and that may well have impacted their desire to sign the Chelsea youngster temporarily.
However, the Whites know just how long a Championship season can be and they won’t want to leave themselves short of options especially after they lost several key players to injuries over the course of last season.
If they can find a way to jump ahead of their rivals and win the race for Gilchrist’s signature, he would be a good extra addition to Daniel Farke’s side. If the Whites miss out, that mistake is unlikely to define their season.
They’re at least ahead of Como in the race now that a move abroad appears to have been ruled out.
In other Leeds United news, Crystal Palace could sanction a loan exit for an attacker linked with a move to Elland Road
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