Chelsea defender set for loan move to side relegated from Premier League last season - Reports
Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist is reportedly set to join Sheffield United on loan for the 2024-25 campaign. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the recently relegated Blades will sign the youngster on a temporary basis.
The 20-year-old emerged as a backup option for Mauricio Pochettino last season, making 27 appearances across all competitions. Gilchrist was named Chelsea's Academy Player of the Year for the previous campaign. He made his senior debut in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in December 2023.
However, he was not included in new manager Enzo Maresca's pre-season squad, with the hopes of finding a move for him. Romano claimed that multiple Championship sides were interested in signing him, with Sheffield United eventually winning the race.
The 20-year-old originally started as a centre-back but was used predominantly at right-back by the Blues last season as cover for Reece James and Malo Gusto.
The move adds to Chelsea's frenetic activity in this summer window as they revamp the squad that finished sixth in the league last season. Ian Maatsen, Omari Hutchinson and now Conor Gallagher have all found permanent moves elsewhere.
On the other hand, they have already spent over €100 million to bring in the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester City, Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal and Marc Guiu from Barcelona.
Newly-promoted Premier League side emerge as leaders to sign out of favour Chelsea attacker
Leicester City are believed to be front-runners to sign Chelsea frontman David Datro Fofana on loan. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Foxes are looking to add the 21-year-old to their striking options, with competition from Stuttgart and Villarreal.
Fofana joined the Blues from Norwegian side Molde in January 2023 for a fee of around €12 million. However, he struggled to make an impact and was sent on loan to Union Berlin for the first half of the 2023-24 campaign.
Following a torrid spell where he had a public spat with the manager, he returned to Chelsea where he was once again sent to loan on Burnley. He showed some promise with the Clarets, bagging four goals and one assist in 15 appearances.
However, the report claims that the player's future at Stamford Bridge is bleak. The Blues already possess the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu among their ranks. Thus, any loan deal is also expected to contain a clause for an obligation to buy.