Chelsea Reject Leeds' First Bid for Mudryk: Negotiations Continue
Chelsea have turned down an opening loan offer from Leeds United for winger Mykhailo Mudryk, but the door is very much still open.
Leeds’ proposal for a season-long deal fell well short of what Chelsea want, both financially and in structure, yet negotiations are ongoing and the player is understood to be keen on Elland Road. The 25-year-old has already agreed in principle to spend the year away from Stamford Bridge as he tries to rebuild his match fitness and reputation.
Mudryk is coming off a brutal 20-month spell out of the game after a positive test for the banned substance meldonium. His suspension ended in July. Since then, he has been eased back into action on Chelsea’s pre-season tour under new head coach Xabi Alonso, making several appearances from the bench as he tries to claw his way back to sharpness.
Premier League priority
Despite interest from abroad, Mudryk has made it clear in recent talks that he wants to stay in the Premier League. That stance has shaped the market around him.
Strasbourg, part of the BlueCo ownership group alongside Chelsea, are firmly in the mix and remain a logical destination on paper. Clubs in Italy have also made their interest known. Yet the Ukrainian’s preference for English football has pushed Leeds to the front of the queue.
What has really appealed to Chelsea is Leeds’ willingness to take Mudryk on a straight loan with no option to buy. That structure allows Chelsea to keep control of a player they paid an initial £61m to sign from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023, while shifting his wages off the books for the season.
Leeds’ summer rebuild
Leeds have already been busy reshaping their squad. Harry Wilson has arrived from Fulham to add creativity in the final third, Tarik Muharemovic has come in from Sassuolo to bolster central defence, James Trafford has joined from Manchester City to compete in goal, and Nico Elvedi has been signed from Borussia Monchengladbach to strengthen the back line.
They previously explored a move for Chelsea striker Liam Delap, but that interest has cooled, with the focus now squarely on Mudryk as a marquee attacking loan.
Brentford and Coventry circle
Leeds are not alone. Brentford have tracked Mudryk for a long time. They tried to sign him months before Chelsea swooped in 2023 and still see value in the winger. This summer, though, the Bees wanted an option to make any loan permanent. Chelsea rejected that idea, determined not to lock themselves into a cut-price exit while Mudryk’s future remains uncertain.
Coventry City have also expressed an interest, sensing an opportunity to add top-flight quality to their ranks if the bigger deals stall. A switch to Strasbourg remains on the table as Chelsea weigh up how best to manage their group of loanees, with midfielder Dario Essugo among the other players being considered for the French club.
What happens next?
Inside Chelsea, the expectation is that Mudryk will leave on loan before the window closes. Keeping him at Stamford Bridge is viewed as unlikely given the need for regular minutes after such a long ban, though that option has not been completely taken off the table if the right move fails to materialise.
For now, Leeds lead the chase. Their first bid has been knocked back. The negotiation, and Mudryk’s attempt to restart a stalled Premier League story, is only just beginning.
