Chelsea star Lewis Bate is approaching a move to Leeds after rejecting the Blues’ latest contract offer.
The 18-year-old is widely regarded as one of the most promising youngsters at Chelsea Academy, although the club recently received a hammer blow when he rejected their offer of a new deal.
Bate’s clear talent has seen him overseen by a number of Premier League clubs recently, with both Liverpool and Southampton keen to secure their services.
Leeds have also developed an interest in the teenager, and it seems that Marcelo Bielsa has got her husband – with Goal reporting that Bate is close to joining the whites.
The England Under-19 international is keen to move from Stamford Bridge as he looks for regular football in the first team – something he does not think he will offer in west London.
The Blues hope that Bates’ seemingly impending exit will not return to haunt them, and the club is no stranger to regretting the departure of young players who have become superstars.
Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah have all had to leave Stamford Bridge before continuing to flourish elsewhere, while more recently the Blues could not retain the services of Jamal Musiala who moved to Bayern Munich.
If Bate certainly moves to Elland Road, he will be a new academic leaving Chelsea after Marc Guehi joined Crystal Palace.
Lewis Bate is one of the most talented young people in the Chelsea Academy / Harry Trump / Getty Images
After impressing during an 18-month loan move to Swansea, the talented midfielder secured a £ 20m move to Palace earlier this week – money that will likely be used in the Blues’ continued quest for Erling Haaland.
90 minutes recently revealed that Chelsea are willing to spread up to 150 million pounds on the Borussia Dortmund man, but it remains to be seen if BVB will be open to selling their star man this summer.
