Sources: Leeds close to agreeing Bate fee after West Ham hijack
Leeds United are in advanced talks to sign Chelsea starlet Lewis Bate despite a late West Ham hijack, Football Insider has learned.
The Yorkshire giants are in the closing stages of negotiating terms with their London counterparts.
A Leeds source has told Football Insider that the club are close to agreeing a fee with Chelsea for 18-year-old Bate.
The discussions are centred on the structure of the performance-related add-ons.
All parties are confident of reaching an agreement and then attention will turn to finalising personal terms and a medical.
West Ham have made a late move for Bate but he has his heart set on joining Leeds.
The teenage midfielder has one year left on his Chelsea deal and has delayed signing an extension.
As such, Leeds moved to take advantage of the youngster's contract situation and are confident of striking a deal despite the Hammers' interest.
The teenager is set to be the third for Leeds' under-23s this summer after Amari Bell and Sean McGurk.
A central midfielder who can operate in a deeper role, Bate was a regular for Chelsea's under-23s last term.
He made 20 Premier League 2 appearances, while he also played twice in the EFL Trophy.
The London-born starlet is yet to make his professional debut after coming through the Blues' academy.
However, he has been an unused substitute three times, including in the Champions League against Bayern Munich last August.
Bate has played for England under-17s and under-18s so far.
He was also named as part of an under-19s' squad for a training camp back in March.