By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

17th Jul, 2023 | 12:56pm

Leeds United set to sign Ethan Ampadu after change of plan - sources

Leeds United are set to sign Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea after a breakthrough in talks, sources have told Football Insider.

The Blues would prefer a loan move for the 22-year-old but Leeds are pushing to secure the centre-back on a permanent deal and talks are now at an advanced stage.

A temporary deal was initially discussed between the sides with the Whites now believed to be interested in bringing Ampadu to Elland Road longer term.

A full agreement is set to be secured imminently.

Ampadu’s current contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2024 after he signed from Exeter City back in 2017.

But, the defender has struggled for game time in London and has spent the majority of his time out on loan, most recently at Italian side Spezia Calcio.

Leeds are in need of reinforcements following their relegation to the Championship at the conclusion of the 2022-23 season.

Whilst several of their current players are believed to have relegation release clauses in their contracts, Football Insider revealed last week (10 July), that Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto are two stars that do not.

A host of players have clauses in their contracts that would allow them to leave on loan following the side’s exit from the top flight.

The Whites have already lost midfielder Brenden Aaronson who joins Union Berlin on loan for next season whilst Gnonto is attracting interest from clubs across Europe and could make a permanent switch this summer.

Ampadu made 34 appearances for Serie A side Spezia last season and was in the starting lineup for 33 of those outings.

The young defender managed to find the back of the net for the Italian side in the relegation play-off but it wasn’t enough to keep them in the top flight for the upcoming campaign.

In other news, Leeds United could now replace Summerville with Premier League star.