are close to signing young star Ethan Ampadu, according to reports.
Ampadu joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2017 – – and made 12 appearances in his first two seasons.
However, he has not played a game for them in four years, spending that time out on loan at RB Leipzig, Sheffield United, Venezia and Spezia – suffering consecutive relegations with the latter three.
The centre-back/defensive midfielder is not in ’s plans, and with just a year left on his contract the Blues have been looking to offload him.
And it seems that they have found a buyer, with reporting that Leeds are close to agreeing a deal for the Wales international who was named in Chelsea’s squad for their pre-season tour of the USA.
Daniel Farke is conducting a rebuild of the West Yorkshire club following their relegation from the , with many stars already gone including defenders Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen and Robin Koch.
Though it is not said how much Ampadu will cost Leeds, other reports claim that Chelsea are looking for around £12million for the 22-year-old.
And though the player has not had the best of times recently, competition for his services was high and widespread, with Leeds beating clubs from the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga to his signature.
If and when he departs Stamford Bridge, the mantle of Chelsea’s longest serving player will pass to Callum Hudson-Odoi, but he is also expected to leave west London this summer.
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Chelsea have already sold seven players this summer, with four more leaving on a free, for a total of £211m as Todd Boehly and co. look to balance the books following their lavish spending spree last season.
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