Leeds close in on permanent signing of Chelsea midfielder Ethan Ampadu

Leeds close in on permanent signing of Chelsea midfielder Ethan Ampadu, who is the club’s LONGEST-SERVING player – despite having made only 12 appearances for the Blues

The Wales international joined the west London side from Exeter City in 2017
Ampadu has suffered a terrible run of luck seeing relegation three times on loan
The 20-year-old has featured in the Bundesliga, Premier League, and Serie A

By Simon Jones for MailOnline

Updated: 12:15 BST, 17 July 2023

Leeds have made an offer for Chelsea midfielder Ethan Ampadu as they prepare to reshape their squad to ready themselves for Championship football.

The 20-year-old joined the Blues in 2017, and has since made 12 appearances during his loan-strewn career at Stamford Bridge.

After failing to imprint himself within the sides of Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, or Frank Lampard during his first spell in charge of the west London side, Ampadu was sent on loan to RB Leipzig for the 2019-20 season.

Stints at Sheffield, Venezia, and Spezia followed, but that run of moves have seen the Wales international suffer three consecutive relegations with the respective sides.

After a number of high-profile exits at Chelsea during the summer transfer window, including that of club captain and Blues veteran Cesar Azpilicueta, Ampadu has the unexpected honour of being Chelsea’s longest-serving player.

Leeds are set to make a permanent move for versatile Chelsea midfielder Ethan Ampadu (pictured during pre-season friendlies in 2022)

New manager Daniel Farke is keen to reshape his squad to prepare for an immediate bounce-back to the Premier League

But Ampadu – who can play as a centre back or a defensive midfielder – is not thought to be involved in new manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for their upcoming campaign.

Leeds are in the process of undergoing a root-and-branch overhaul following both their relegation from the Premier League and their sale to new owners the 49ers Enterprises.

The club have already said goodbye to Rodrigo, who is set to join Qatari side Al Rayyan, and have booked a number of loan moves for players including Rasmus Kristensen, who will join Roma, and Brenden Aaronson, who moves to Union Berlin for the 2023-24 campaign.

Under new manager Daniel Farke, the club will challenge for promotion on their first attempt, following their latest three-year spell in the English top flight.