Leeds have some targets to pursue this month, with a few already moving elsewhere.
Taty Castellanos has moved to West Ham – a player The Times claimed Leeds wanted – but there remain other attacking alternatives for Daniel Farke.
A story from TEAMtalk stated that Leeds want Tyrique George from Chelsea as the England U21 international struggles for playing time in west London, and there has now been an interesting development.
Calum McFarlane puts Max Merrick in Chelsea squad ahead of Tyrique George as Leeds United target’s exile continues
The 19-year-old has not been named in a Premier League squad at Chelsea since Sunderland visited Stamford Bridge at the end of October.
What is a fair price for Chelsea’s Tyrique George? 💸
Fulham almost got him for £22m
Enzo Maresca simply did not trust George in the Premier League, but after the Italian left and Calum McFarlane took his place on an interim basis – a man who has worked closely with young talents at Chelsea – many expected the teenager to at least return to the squad for the trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
However, McFarlane strangely continued to exile the Leeds target, and weirdly opted to name a second goalkeeper on the bench alongside Gabriel Slonina instead in Max Merrick.
It strongly hints – in our view at least – that the banishment of George is a club decision made by those in the boardroom at Chelsea, potentially suggesting they would prefer him to be left out in order to avoid any injuries which could scupper a sale this month.
Chelsea are no strangers to exiling players young or old, with Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi currently banished from senior duties – both of whom have been linked with Leeds as well.
Fulham agreed £22m Tyrique George deal but Leeds United could sign Chelsea outcast for less
Leeds almost landed Harry Wilson in September after Fulham agreed a £22m deadline day deal to sign George from Chelsea, before it eventually collapsed.
Would you sign Harry Wilson next summer, when his contract ends? 🪄
He's still out of contract.
That agreement set the benchmark for a valuation in the winter market, but the Chelsea academy graduate now only has 18 months remaining on his contract.
It means Chelsea will have less negotiating power in the summer when we reach a stage where George only has a year left on his deal, so the Blues should be open to cashing in now – even if it means accepting a sum slightly lower than the £22m fee Fulham agreed.
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