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Leeds have great opportunity to secure loan signing of top talent Cole Palmer has described as 'big' - opinion
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07/25/2024 01:45 AM
Leeds United are set for a busy few weeks in the transfer window as Daniel Farke looks to bolster his ranks ahead of a big season.
The Whites fell just short in their pursuit of promotion back to the Premier League last term, and will be eager to get it right this time round.
Leeds have offloaded a multitude of players, with six sales, six free transfers and three players sent out on loan.
The Elland Road outfit have also made four signings, Joe Rothwell arriving on loan and Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle and Alex Cairns going on the books.
Leeds are likely to look at strengthening their ranks at right-back in wake of a spate of departures in that position.
Archie Gray, Luke Ayling, Rasmus Kristensen, Cody Drameh, Connor Roberts and Jamie Shackleton have all left Elland Road in recent weeks.
Now, according to reports, Leeds are after a young Premier League defender who can feature both at right-back and at centre-back.
Better still, the player in question is reportedly open to joining the Whites on loan, while his club seems to favour a Championship move for him.
READ MORE: Leeds told they must submit bid for 'deadly' £20m attacker by July 31 or deal is off
Leeds will fancy their chances of landing Chelsea’s Alfie Gilchrist
The player in question is Alfie Gilchrist, who exploded onto the scene for Chelsea last season.
Gilchrist made 17 senior appearances for the Blues in 2023/24 and even got his first Premier League goal on board in a 6-0 win over Everton in April.
Ben Jacobs claimed on X back in late May that Leeds were among the clubs that have shown interest in the 20-year-old.
Jacobs went on to tell the Just Joe Football Show in June: “To all intents and purposes Gilchrist would be open to a Leeds move.
“He has great respect, Chelsea and Leeds have a great rivalry but nonetheless, he would go there. He would be very willing to help Leeds fight and get promoted.”
And just a few days ago, Jacobs told GiveMeSport that, despite links with Italian side Como, Chelsea want to send Gilchrist to the Championship.
“They feel this is best for his development – much like when Levi Colwill was sent to Huddersfield Town in 2021/22 – and don’t want to use up an international loan spot,” he wrote.
Gilchrist has already shown that he is capable of performing in the Premier League, and has earned praise from the likes of Cole Palmer and Marc Cucurella.
In the comment section of an Instagram post Gilchrist put up in April, after he scored his first league goal, Palmer called his teammate “Big Alf”, while Cucurella described him as “killer”.
Chelsea clearly have high hopes for Gilchrist, and a loan at a top Championship side where the stakes will be high would be the best thing for him.
Leeds have strong competition for his services, but they will certainly fancy their chances of getting him on board.