Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist is allegedly attracting interest ahead of the January transfer window.
Having made his breakthrough with the Blues last season, the versatile academy graduate was loaned out to Sheffield United in the summer.
The 21-year-old has received the desired regular football at Bramall Lane, making a total of 20 starts and two substitute appearances in the Championship.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who was commenting on X, it has led to admirers emerging elsewhere.
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Which clubs are chasing Gilchrist?
Romano claims that a number of Premier League clubs are interested in signing Gilchrist on a permanent deal next month.
Gilchrist is currently featuring in a Blades backline that have conceded just 13 goals in their 23 matches in the second tier of English football.
Chris Wilder has used Gilchrist at right-back for all but one of his 20 starts, with that seemingly being the position where he will spend his career despite his academy experience in the centre of defence.
There is an agreement in place for Gilchrist to remain in Yorkshire for the entirety of the campaign and Romano says that is Chelsea's preference.
Furthermore, Gilchrist is also said to be of the opinion that he would benefit from completing the season at Sheffield United.
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Can Gilchrist expect a future at Chelsea?
Having made 17 appearances for Chelsea with Mauricio Pochettino at the helm last season, Gilchrist naturally has dreams of resuming his career at Stamford Bridge in 2025-26.
However, the emergence of Josh Acheampong has made that highly unlikely. With Reece James and Malo Gusto also in Enzo Maresca's squad, Gilchrist would become no more than fourth choice at right-back.
With Gilchrist's contract due to expire in 2026, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital will be eyeing another sale of a homegrown talent unless they extend his terms at some point next year.
Cashing in on Gilchrist is the most likely option unless he impresses to such an extent during the second half of the campaign that Chelsea feel that his value will increase in the long term.
Darren Plant
