Leeds United have agreed a deal to sign Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea after the Welsh defender returned from his loan spell with Spezia at the end of last season. According to The Athletic, Leeds will pay £7 million plus additional add-ons in a permanent deal for the 22-year-old centre-back.
Ampadu has had four loan spells during his time with the Blues after joining the club from Exeter City back in 2017. The Wales international spent last season at Spezia – making 31 Serie A appearances for the relegated side – after previous temporary spells with RB Leipzig, Sheffield United and Venezia.
Ampadu was seen as surplus to requirements by Mauricio Pochettino ahead of next season and now seems to have secured a permanent move away from Chelsea – joining Championship side Leeds. Todd Boehly spent over £600million on new signings in his first 12 months as Blues co-owner – leading to a bloated squad that needed addressing this summer.
Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Cesar Azpilicueta, Mateo Kovacic and Baba Rahman have all left the club permanently. Meanwhile, January signing David Datro Fofana has joined Union Berlin on a season-long loan deal ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Following Azpilicueta’s departure to Atletico Madrid, Ampadu became the longest-serving player at Stamford Bridge – but he is now set to join Leeds. The Wales international made just 12 senior appearances for the Blues.
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