Chelsea have rejected an initial season-long loan offer from Leeds United for winger Mykhailo Mudryk. The opening offer fell well short of Chelsea's expectations, but negotiations are continuing and the Ukraine forward is believed to be keen on a switch to Elland Road.

The 25-year-old has agreed to spend the season away from Stamford Bridge to rebuild match fitness after 20 months out of football following a positive test for the banned substance meldonium. His ban ended in July, and he has since made several substitute appearances on Chelsea's pre-season tour under new manager Xabi Alonso.

Leeds emerged as frontrunners because they are willing to sign him without a purchase option, allowing Chelsea to retain control of Mudryk's future while covering his salary. Brentford were also considered a potential destination, but had hoped to secure an option to make the move permanent - which Chelsea rejected. The Bees attempted to sign Mudryk several months before Chelsea secured his signature from Shakhtar Donetsk for an initial £61m in 2023.

Leeds have signed four players this summer: Harry Wilson from Fulham, Tarik Muharemovic, James Trafford and Nico Elvedi. Coventry City have also expressed interest, while a move to Strasbourg remains under consideration. Mudryk remaining at Stamford Bridge is considered unlikely, although not completely ruled out.