Another Chelsea teen offered Champions League football by Bundesliga club
RB Leipzig have reportedly moved to the front of the queue in the race to sign Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu on loan, The Daily Mail reports.
The teenager was recently omitted from the Blues’ pre-season tour with the club confirming that the Wales international would be allowed to leave on a season-long loan.
The London club are still very keen on their young midfielder and hope that a spell away from the club will enable him to develop, seeking assurances that he will receive regular first team football.
If RB Leipzig are willing to do that then Ampadu could also see Champions League action next season following the club’s qualification for the tournament once more. Meanwhile he would link up with one of the continent’s top young coaches in the form of new boss Julian Nagelsmann.
The 18-year-old has been linked with Premier League clubs too, including Aston Villa, but none that could offer the level of football that Leipzig can, which Chelsea would likely see as a bonus.
Ampadu didn’t make a single appearance in England’s top-flight last season but did feature three times in the Europa League - completing 91.6 per cent of his passes - and unlike most of Chelsea’s youngsters is yet to taste life out on loan.
