Alfie Gilchrist is one of a handful of players to have been linked with a move to Leeds United this summer.
The Whites are reportedly battling fellow Championship sides Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers for Gilchrist, who is set to be allowed to leave Chelsea on loan.
Gilchrist made his breakthrough into the first team at Chelsea last season but with so much competition for places in defence, game time will be harder to come by for him at Stamford Bridge next term.
Journalist Ben Jacobs claimed earlier this week that Gilchrist would actually be open to a loan move to Leeds this summer, despite the historic rivalry between the two clubs.
He actually made one of his five starts across all competitions for the Blues against Leeds last season in the 3-2 FA Cup victory in March.
Chelsea’s stance on sending Gilchrist on loan to Leeds revealed
Leeds will be looking to make better use of the Premier League loan market this summer given how useful it can be for Championship sides eyeing promotion.
Joe Rodon, Djed Spence, Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony were the four players who made temporary moves over the course of last season, yet only the former was really a success.
Given how good Rodon was, there is now Premier League interest in his services and so Leeds will need to be looking at potential alternatives if they cannot bring him back.
Gilchrist would appear to be one of the names Leeds are looking at, but according the Yorkshire Evening Post, a deal does not look overly likely.
As per the report, a ‘source’ at Chelsea has claimed they have reservations over sending him to Leeds on loan amid doubts over whether he could become a key player at Elland Road.
It is also said that Leeds are not actually pressing ahead with a move for Gilchrist at this time, with other alternatives currently ahead of him on their list of targets.
Who could Leeds’ alternatives to Gilchrist be?
There is no doubt that Leeds’ priority target at the back right now will be Rodon, and they certainly haven’t given up hope on bringing him back.
But if Leeds are unable to secure his return, it would be unfair to place the pressure of being his replacement on someone as young and inexperienced as Gilchrist.
With that in mind, Swansea City’s Nathan Wood could prove to be a good alternative. He is still young, has just a year left on his deal, and has plenty of Championship experience already.
Leeds could also do a lot worse than re-igniting their January interest in Everton’s Ben Godfrey, who like Gilchrist, can play both in the centre and right-side of defence.