Leeds United Left Trailing as Tottenham Secures Mudryk

Leeds United’s search for a winger has taken a late and painful hit, with Mykhailo Mudryk set to undergo a medical at Tottenham after Spurs surged ahead in the race for the Chelsea attacker.

Daniel Farke had made wide reinforcements a clear priority this summer, and Leeds were widely reported to be firmly in contention for the Ukrainian. By deadline day, hopes at Elland Road had grown that Mudryk could be the marquee attacking addition before the 11pm cut-off.

Then Spurs moved.

The north London club stepped in to hijack the move, with transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reporting that Tottenham have agreed a paid loan with Chelsea that includes a non-mandatory buy option set at around £75 million. Personal terms are understood to be in place, leaving only the formalities of the medical.

Romano posted on X: “BREAKING: Mykhaylo Mudryk to Tottenham, here we go! Everything agreed also on personal terms. Mudryk joins #THFC on paid loan and also understand there will be a buy option clause not mandatory in the agreement. The Ukrainian will re-join De Zerbi.”

It marks another statement move in a lavish window for Roberto De Zerbi’s side. Spurs have already loaded up with Andy Robertson on a free from Liverpool, Marcos Senesi on a free from Bournemouth, Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m from Brighton, Martin Dubravka on a free from Burnley, Mateus Fernandes for £85m from West Ham, Sandro Tonali for £92.5m from Newcastle United, Savinho for £75m from Manchester City and Omar Marmoush on loan from City.

Now Mudryk is poised to join that list, with defender Tosin Adarabioyo also expected to complete a switch from Chelsea after undergoing a medical.

Mudryk arrives with baggage as well as talent. The 25-year-old was handed a four-year suspension in 2024 after failing a drug test that showed a low concentration of the banned substance meldonium. He has not played since November of that year, but his doping ban was overturned on appeal and he was cleared to resume his career at the end of last month.

For Leeds, missing out on the Ukrainian changes the picture on the flanks. The setback strengthens the hand of two Welsh wingers already in Yorkshire: Daniel James and Harry Wilson.

• Wilson, a summer free transfer from Fulham, is pushing to nail down a regular starting place.
• James, by contrast, is trying to reset his career after an injury-ravaged 18 months that stalled his momentum and raised questions over his long-term role.

They now know Farke is still hunting more firepower in their positions. The Leeds manager remains intent on adding another attacker before the window closes, with the club determined to improve on last season’s 14th-place finish in the Premier League. Any new arrival would ramp up competition and leave no room for comfort on the wings.

The situation is further complicated by Wilfried Gnonto’s future. The Italian is expected to leave for Fiorentina, but Leeds will only sign off on that deal if they secure a replacement first. No incoming, no exit.

As the clock ticks towards 11pm, Tottenham look set to unveil another high-profile recruit. Leeds, once again, are left scouring the market, hoping one late deal can change the shape of their season.