Sources: Leo Black agrees to join Chelsea after quitting Tottenham

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Leo Black on a free transfer weeks after he left Tottenham, sources have told Football Insider.

The versatile midfielder, who can also play at right-back, departed Spurs upon the expiry of his contract on 30 June and is now set to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.

Championship outfit Sheffield United and Portuguese club Academico FC had both expressed an interest in the 20-year-old's availability, but he is now close to joining the Blues.

Black has decided to put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Chelsea, who have high hopes for his development and see his signing from a big rival as a real coup.

Having never made a senior appearance for Tottenham, the midfielder opted to leave North London upon the expiry of his contract in pursuit of greater opportunities.

Chelsea have now moved ahead of their rivals to agree terms with the midfielder, who believes a move to Stamford Bridge will be the best step for his development.

Why have Chelsea made a move to sign Leo Black?

Black has been highly regarded at Tottenham for years, after Football Insider first revealed way back in 2022 that he had been offered a scholarship deal at the club.

However, he has since struggled to make his mark on the first team under multiple different managers, having not even featured in a senior matchday squad.

Despite that, there are still high hopes for his development, and Chelsea's recruitment team have identified him as somebody who can bolster their academy ranks.

Black has featured for England's youth sides up to Under-19s level, and made 27 appearances for Spurs' Under-21s side last season, including in the UEFA Youth League.

An initial two-year deal at Stamford Bridge will give the midfielder a platform to prove himself and potentially go further than he did during his time at Tottenham.

Which other midfielders are on the move at Chelsea?

Having moved quickly to sign Black, who will likely be more heavily involved with the Under-21 side rather than the first-team, there is a renewed focus on the Blues' current options.

The Blues have already allowed thelikes of Reggie Walsh and Ollie Harrison to leave on loan this summer, and more of their academy graduates could be set to leave.

This comes after Football Insider revealed earlier this summer that Walsh was in advanced talks to join Wigan Atheltic, with a move to League One key for his development.

That has left the academy side with a glaring hole in their midfield, however, and their pursuit of Black has ramped up in an attempt to plug that gap.

His performances for Tottenham's academy sides placed a number of clubs on high alert, but it is clear why Chelsea pushed to agree terms.