Chelsea have knocked back Leeds United’s opening loan proposal for winger Mykhailo Mudryk, but insiders suggest the door is still very much open for a deal to get done before the transfer window shuts.
The Offer Wasn’t Good Enough Yet
Leeds’ first approach for the 25-year-old Ukrainian didn’t come close to matching what Chelsea want in return, but talks between the two clubs are ongoing and far from dead. Crucially, Mudryk himself is said to be genuinely drawn to the idea of a fresh start at Elland Road.
A Long Road Back
Mudryk’s situation is anything but ordinary. He spent 20 months on the sidelines after failing a drugs test for the banned substance meldonium — a suspension that only lifted this July. Since then, he’s been easing his way back into action during Chelsea’s pre-season tour, picking up minutes off the bench under new boss Xabi Alonso, including an appearance against Juventus in Hong Kong.
Why Leeds Have the Edge
Several suitors have circled Mudryk, but Leeds have pulled ahead of the pack for one key reason: they’re prepared to take him on loan without any obligation to buy. That structure suits Chelsea perfectly they get to keep long-term control of his career while offloading his wages for the season, and Mudryk gets the regular football he desperately needs to rebuild his reputation.
That matters because Mudryk has made it known he wants to stay in the Premier League, turning down the idea of a switch to Strasbourg Chelsea’s sister club under the BlueCo umbrella as well as offers of interest from clubs in Italy.
The Other Suitors in the Mix
Leeds aren’t the only club sniffing around. Brentford were keen too, but their interest stalled after they pushed for an option to sign him permanently, something Chelsea flatly refused. Notably, the Bees actually tried to sign Mudryk years before Chelsea beat them to it, paying an initial £61m to prise him away from Shakhtar Donetsk back in 2023.
Coventry City have also thrown their hat in the ring, and a move to Strasbourg hasn’t been completely ruled out Chelsea are even weighing up sending another player, midfielder Dario Essugo, there as part of a broader deal.
Busy Summer at Elland Road
Leeds have already been active in the market, bringing in four new faces this window: forward Harry Wilson from Fulham, centre-back Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo, goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City, and defender Nico Elvedi from Borussia Mönchengladbach. They’d previously shown interest in Chelsea striker Liam Delap too, though that pursuit has since gone cold.
What Happens Next?
While staying at Stamford Bridge hasn’t been entirely ruled out for Mudryk, most signs point toward an exit before deadline day. The question now isn’t really if he leaves it’s where, and how quickly Chelsea and Leeds can find common ground on the numbers.
