Chelsea Reject Leeds' Initial Mudryk Bid but Talks Continue

Chelsea have turned down an opening offer from Leeds United for Mykhailo Mudryk, with the Yorkshire club’s proposal described as falling well short of the London side’s valuation, according to BBC Sport. The door, though, is very much still open.

Leeds want Mudryk on a straight loan, no option to buy, and that stance has put them in pole position. It suits Chelsea too. The Blues paid an initial £62 million for the winger in 2023 and are determined to keep control of his long‑term future while easing the congestion in Xabi Alonso’s squad.

For Mudryk, the appeal is simple: minutes. Real ones. The 25-year-old is pushing for a move to Elland Road to restart his career after spending 20 months out of the game following a positive test for the banned substance meldonium. A Premier League stage, a manager who wants him, and a clean slate – the package is attractive.

If Leeds can finally strike an agreement, Mudryk would become Daniel Farke’s fifth signing of the summer. The club have already brought in Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic, James Trafford and Nico Elvedi as they tune up for their league opener against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Farke wants more pace and unpredictability in wide areas; Mudryk ticks both boxes.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are deep into a clear-out. Alonso is trimming a bloated group before the deadline, and some big names are already out of the door. Axel Disasi has joined Crystal Palace, Benoit Badiashile is heading to Napoli, and Atletico Madrid are finalising a £65m deal for Nicolas Jackson. Others, such as Liam Delap and Dario Essugo, are still waiting to discover whether they fit into Alonso’s plans.

The Mudryk situation is drawing interest beyond Leeds. Chelsea have already turned down Brentford, who pushed for a loan with an option to buy – a structure the Blues simply do not want. Coventry City are also keeping tabs as they prepare to face Arsenal in Friday night’s season opener.

Options abroad exist on paper, but they are drifting into the background. A move to Strasbourg or a switch to Serie A is understood to be unlikely at this stage, with Mudryk preferring to stay in England and fight for his reputation there.

Alonso, asked about the winger’s future, kept his stance measured: “We will see, we still have time to decide and we don't have to rush on many decisions and at the right time, we will take them. At the moment, not yet.”

For now, Mudryk continues to train with the Chelsea squad while his representatives work through the possibilities.

Leeds are expected to return with a revised proposal as they look to sharpen their attack before the season settles into rhythm. Chelsea are open to the right kind of loan. Mudryk wants to play. The deadline is looming.

Something will have to give.