Chelsea are considering alternative options to Leeds United for Mykhailo Mudryk, the Blues' Ukrainian winger, after negotiations with the Elland Road side ended.
The talks, which continued throughout the weekend, have been terminated by Chelsea, who are now exploring other avenues for Mudryk's future.
A move to sister club Strasbourg or another Premier League side is a possibility, with Coventry City, Napoli, Atalanta, and Roma having expressed interest in the 25-year-old.
Chelsea's desire to guarantee playing time for Mudryk, who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk for an initial £61m in 2023, is a key factor in their decision-making process.
The Blues are keen to include financial penalties if Mudryk is not involved in the team, a move that would help the forward get his career back on track.
Mudryk has been keen to make a return to action after serving a 20-month ban for testing positive for the banned substance meldonium.
He returned to action at the end of July and featured in Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia.
A move to Leeds was believed to be Mudryk's favoured option, with Brentford also having had an approach turned down over attempts to include an option to buy.
The winger's career has been hampered by the ban, and Chelsea are now looking to provide him with a platform to revive his form.
Mudryk's return to action has been a gradual one, and Chelsea are eager to help him regain his confidence on the pitch.
The Blues are keen to see Mudryk succeed, but their demands for playing time and financial penalties have put a strain on negotiations with Leeds.
The uncertainty surrounding Mudryk's future is a reflection of the complexities of the transfer market, where clubs are often willing to walk away from deals that don't meet their expectations.
As the transfer window nears its end, Chelsea will continue to explore options for Mudryk, with the winger's future remaining uncertain.
Source: Yahoo Sports