Chelsea reject Leeds United bid for Mykhailo Mudryk as four clubs show interest

Chelsea have rejected a proposal from Leeds United for Ukraine forward Mykhailo Mudryk during the current summer transfer window, with four other clubs understood to be interested in signing him.

The two clubs held discussions for a week but were unable to reach an agreement, according to the BBC. Leeds’ offer was ultimately turned down by Chelsea, who are considering the forward’s situation as he prepares to return from a lengthy suspension.

Mudryk has not played in an official match since 10 November 2024. A sample provided by the player was found to contain a banned substance, resulting in his suspension.

The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023 in a deal worth £85m. However, his time at Stamford Bridge has since been disrupted by the suspension, leaving him without competitive football for several months.

English club Coventry City and Italian sides Napoli, Atalanta and Roma have also expressed an interest in signing Mudryk, the report says.

Chelsea previously rejected an approach from Brentford after the club attempted to include an option to buy the player permanently in the proposed agreement. The London club were unwilling to accept those terms.

Chelsea are said to want assurances over regular playing time for Mudryk once he is available again. According to the BBC, the club’s preference is to ensure the Ukraine international plays regularly after completing a 20-month suspension.

Mudryk returned to action at the end of July, when he took part in Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia. His involvement in those matches marked his first appearance on the pitch since the suspension began, although he remains without an official competitive appearance since November 2024.

The winger’s future remains uncertain as Chelsea weigh their options and clubs assess whether to pursue a temporary or permanent deal. Leeds’ proposal has not led to an agreement, while Brentford’s interest was complicated by the proposed purchase clause.

Coventry City, Napoli, Atalanta and Roma could provide alternative destinations, but Chelsea’s demands over Mudryk’s playing time and the structure of any transfer are likely to remain central to negotiations.

For now, the player remains a Chelsea footballer, with the club having rejected offers from Leeds United and Brentford during the summer window. His return to the squad in pre-season has nevertheless given interested clubs an opportunity to assess his condition after his long absence from competitive football.