Sources: Leeds and Chelsea race to sign Brighton sensation Zak Sturge amid Thursday development
Chelsea and Leeds United are preparing bids for Brighton sensation Zak Sturge, Football Insider understands.
Chelsea have held a long-term interest in the 18-year-old and had two bids for him rejected in the January transfer window.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Leeds have joined the London giants in the race and are pushing hard for a summer deal.
The Whites want to recruit a new left-back this summer with the potential to compete for a first-team spot.
Junior Firpo has failed to cement his place in Leeds United’s side since his arrival from Barcelona in July 2021.
Sturge, who was a regular for Brighton Under-18s last season and is an England Under-18s international, is out of contract at his club on Thursday and is expected to leave as a free agent.
Brighton will be due a compensation fee from the club who end up buying the rising star.
Sturge made 18 appearances for the Seagulls in the Under-18s Premier League last season and provided one assist.
He contributed two assists in as many appearances in the FA Youth Cup.
Brighton were knocked out of the competition by Wolves following a 3-1 defeat at Molineux in February.
Sturge has featured three times for Brighton’s under-23s, one of which came last season.
However, he has never been called up to the senior squad by Graham Potter.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Leeds United may have “found the golden ticket” as owner Andrea Radrizzani seals a new deal.