Leeds United want to sign Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist on season-long loan

Leeds United want to sign Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist on a season-long loan this summer, according to Ben Jacobs.

Writing on his personal X account (31 May), the journalist reports that the Whites could look to west London to strengthen their squad ahead of a second season in the Championship under Daniel Farke.

Gilchrist featured 17 times for the Blues first-team under Mauricio Pochettino last season, scoring once from right-back, while Leeds have lost three right-backs since the start of last season with Djed Spence, Luke Ayling and Connor Roberts leaving while Sam Byram's contract is due to expire too.

"Alfie Gilchrist could go on loan to the Championship next season," he wrote.

"All still early stages. Preston, Blackburn and Leeds have all shown interest. No talks with Millwall or Swansea to date."

Leeds United need to sign a new right-back this summer

At the start of the campaign Farke made sure the squad was strong in all areas, but as the season went on it got a little bit weaker at right-back in particular.

Spence and Farke fell out which saw him sent back to Tottenham in January, while Ayling wanted to play more regularly and left for Middlesbrough too. Roberts came in but a decision has already been made to send him back to Burnley, which left Byram and Archie Gray as the only options remaining.

But Byram's contract situation being up in the air and the fact that Gray is by far a better midfielder than defender, and there is transfer interest in him also, means a new right-back is a necessity.

Gilchrist shone with his defensive prowess for Chelsea last season and at 20-years-old he is very ready to prove that he can perform regularly playing first-team football.

Elland Road would be a great place for him to do that, and he would fill a need for Farke's squad, so this is a situation to pay attention to for sure.

In other Leeds news, a billionaire-owned club have made a decision on their pursuit of Crysencio Summerville this summer.

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