Chelsea have reportedly ended negotiations with Leeds United over a loan transfer for Mykhailo Mudryk, despite the winger expressing a desire to join the Yorkshire club.
The Ukraine international was cleared to play earlier this summer after his doping ban was resolved, ending nearly two years without competitive football. Chelsea's intention is to loan out the 25-year-old, with interest from several Premier League clubs including Leeds, Brentford and Coventry City.
Talks collapse after initial offer rejected
Reports on Friday indicated that Xabi Alonso's team had turned down a loan offer from Leeds, describing it as falling 'well below their expectations', with further discussions planned over the weekend. However, BBC Sport now reports that Chelsea ended the talks before Daniel Farke's side could submit a second bid and do not intend to send Mudryk to Elland Road.
Chelsea have also reportedly warned prospective clubs that Mudryk must receive significant playing time during his loan, given his 20-month absence from football. To enforce this, they want financial penalties included in any deal that would activate if the forward does not feature regularly.
Other interested clubs and player preference
Coventry, Napoli, Atalanta and Roma are all interested in taking the player on loan, while a move to BlueCo-owned Strasbourg is also being considered. However, Mudryk reportedly wants to remain in England, with Leeds his preferred destination after they won their opening Premier League match of the season against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
With just over a week remaining before deadline day, the 25-year-old's future remains uncertain, and he is not expected to be included in Chelsea's squad for Monday night's match against local rivals Fulham.
The exact reason for Chelsea's decision to turn down Leeds is unknown, though they also rejected a loan offer from Brentford earlier this summer because they wanted an option-to-buy clause included in the deal. Chelsea signed Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk for an initial £62 million in January 2023, and he recorded 10 goals and 11 assists in 73 appearances before his ban.
