Leeds United’s search for a left-back continues after confirmation that Junior Firpo would leave the club on a free transfer, and a Chelsea player has emerged on the club’s radar.
After four years at Elland Road, Firpo has left the club on a free. Leeds offered Firpo a new deal but the wages were far below the deal he first signed when joining Leeds from Barcelona in 2021, for a £13m fee.
In his farewell video to fans, Firpo explained there was no possibility of staying at Leeds. That is despite Firpo urging Paraag Marathe to offer him a new contract during parade day on Jayden Bogle’s Instagram.
So, Leeds need a new left-back with Sam Byram’s future also unclear. The leading candidate seems to be Lille’s Sweden star Gabriel Gudmundsson, but Leeds have been offered the chance to sign a Chelsea ace.
Leeds United offered Chelsea star to replace Junior Firpo
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has informed LeedsUnited.News that Leeds are one of several different clubs to be offered the chance to sign Chelsea’s £225k-a-week star Ben Chilwell on loan, this summer.
Described as “aggressive” by Gareth Southgate, Chilwell has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea and it saw the England international loaned to FA Cup winners Crystal Palace for the second half of last term.
But he has not signed for Palace permanently and his future is now unclear. Bailey says that Leeds are one of a number of clubs to be offered Chilwell, but Leeds are yet to decide on a move to sign him on loan.
“His people have offered him to a number of clubs – Leeds are one of them. His wages are an issue but Chelsea are willing to do a deal. A loan deal is an option, possibly with an option but not essential.”
A potential move to Leeds from Chelsea comes after Leeds’ interest in Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, but Sunderland look as though they have beaten Leeds again with a move to land Petrovic.
Ben Chilwell or Gabriel Gudmundsson? Their numbers compared
There are arguments for both players. Gudmundsson fits Adam Underwood’s bill. Aged 26, plenty of experience and his career going in the right direction, boasting Sweden caps and still tall for a left-back.
Chilwell meanwhile, has huge Premier League experience and at his best, is one of the Premier League’s best left-backs. However, Chilwell has spent time out injured and his career is going the wrong way.
Gudmundsson v Chilwell’s career numbers:
| Name | Clubs | Games | Mins | Wins | CS | Goals | Assists |
| Gudmundsson | Halmstads Groningen Lille | 88 37 137 | 5248 2288 7467 | 33 15 65 | 22 11 41 | 16 2 4 | 6 5 3 |
| Total: 262 | Total: 15003 | Total: 113 | Total: 74 | Total: 22 | Total: 14 | ||
| Chilwell | Leicester Huddersfield Chelsea Palace | 123 8 107 11 | 10300 660 7385 395 | 47 4 58 8 | 31 3 44 5 | 4 0 9 1 | 12 0 13 0 |
| Total: 249 | Total: 18740 | Total: 117 | Total: 83 | Total: 14 | Total: 25 |
Gudmundsson would be a permanent signing and is available for a smaller fee than his actual value given his contract ends in 2026. Chilwell would only be on loan and even a portion of his wages are enormous.
Chilwell may hit the ground running quicker than Gudmundsson given his Premier League know-how, but Gudmundsson might be more reliable in terms of injury, and defensively, is arguably better than Chilwell.
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