Leeds United have confirmed the arrival of high-ranking midfielder Lewis Bate from Chelsea on a permanent deal.
The 18-year-old was one of the most exciting prospects in the Chelsea academy but rejected the chance to extend his stay at the club, and with one year left on his contract, the Blues were left with little more than to make money.
✍️ #LUFC are pleased to announce the signing of Lewis Bate from Chelsea
– Leeds United (@LUFC) July 22, 2021
Liverpool, Southampton and West Ham had all reached out to Bate to try to negotiate a transfer, but Leeds took to their official website to confirm that they had won the race for his signature.
The midfielder has signed a three-year contract at Elland Road and committed to Marcelo Bielsa’s side until 2024.
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There is no official mention of the fee, but Nizaar Kinsella previously suggested that Leeds have agreed to pay £ 1.5m for the teenager before the addition, and Chelsea are also negotiating a percentage of future sales.
An England Under-19 lander will be Bate Leeds’ fifth signing of the summer following the arrival of Junior Firpo, Jack Harrison, Shaun McGurk and Amari Miller.
Bate joins the club and hopes for a greater chance for Premier League minutes than he would have seen at Chelsea, where Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante were all ahead of him in the pick order and Billy Gilmour is also competing for future minutes.
In the short term, Bate will join Mark Jackson’s U23 side for the coming season, but his decision to join Leeds suggests he will have the chance to impress Bielsa as the campaign progresses.
Thanks, @ChelseaFC? pic.twitter.com/uimEgnzGMf
– Lewis Bate (@LewBate) July 22, 2021
Leeds have been active in the transfer market and are not expected to slow down yet, with moves for a handful of new players still underway.
Reports have tipped Leeds to move for wingers such as PSV Eindhovenn’s Noni Madueke and West Broms Matheus Pereira, while Hertha Berlin striker Matheus Cunha is also on the radar.
