Xabi Alonso breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk's Chelsea future as the Blues reject opening Leeds United loan offer

Alonso has insisted that the club will remain calm and calculated when deciding the next step for Mudryk. The Ukrainian winger, who has endured a difficult period away from the competitive spotlight, is the subject of intense transfer speculation as the deadline approaches. While the Blues are reportedly open to a loan move to help the 25-year-old regain his match fitness and rhythm, Alonso is adamant that the club will not be forced into a premature agreement that does not suit their long-term development plans for the player.

Speaking to the media during a press conference ahead of the clash at Craven Cottage, Alonso was asked directly if Mudryk would be part of the matchday squad or if a move was imminent. The Spanish tactician remained non-committal, explaining the club's current stance on the winger's situation. Alonso stated: “We will see, we still have time to decide, and we don't have to rush on many decisions and at the right time we will take them, at the moment not yet."

Leeds United have emerged as the primary suitors for Mudryk’s signature, but their initial attempts to bring the winger to Elland Road have hit a significant stumbling block. The West Yorkshire club entered formal negotiations with Chelsea earlier this week, submitting an opening loan proposal to secure the former Shakhtar Donetsk star. However, the Blues hierarchy wasted little time in rebuffing the offer. It is understood that the financial package presented by Leeds was deemed well below the terms Chelsea are prepared to accept, particularly regarding wage contributions and potential loan fees.

Mudryk’s return to the frame follows a long period of inactivity after his recent doping case was finally resolved with the Football Association. Having not played a competitive fixture since November 2024, the priority for both the player and the club is to get "minutes in the legs" to facilitate a full return to form. The Ukrainian international was recently cleared to return to competitive football after his doping ban was lifted after 20 months, and he even featured for Chelsea during their pre-season campaign.

While Mudryk’s future remains a talking point, Chelsea are also working tirelessly to trim a bloated squad by facilitating the exits of several fringe strikers. The Blues are reportedly open to permanent sales for Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, and Marc Guiu as they look to balance the books and streamline Alonso's options. Delap is currently a high-priority target for several Premier League sides, including Nottingham Forest, Everton, and newly-promoted Ipswich Town. However, Chelsea’s steep £50 million valuation of the England youth international has so far proven to be a major obstacle in negotiations.

Jackson is another high-profile name who could be heading for the exit door. The Senegal international has attracted concrete interest from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, as well as European heavyweights Atletico Madrid and Napoli. Chelsea have slapped a £65 million price tag on the striker, reflecting their desire to recoup a significant fee if he is to leave permanently.

Among the strikers linked with an exit, Guiu appears to be the closest to finalizing a move away from Stamford Bridge. The 20-year-old La Masia graduate, who joined Chelsea with high expectations, has attracted strong interest from clubs in Italy, Spain, and Germany. Napoli are currently leading the race for his signature, with the Serie A side reportedly keen on a permanent deal for the talented youngster. Chelsea value Guiu at approximately £25 million, and negotiations are understood to be progressing as the clubs look to find common ground.

When questioned about Guiu’s role in his plans for the upcoming campaign, Alonso reiterated his stance on the need for ongoing evaluation during the final days of the window. He commented: "We will see, as I said before with our players. We could be talking a lot, so we need to assess with the days what will be the situation."