Leeds are expected to snap up Chelsea midfielder Lewis Bate by the end of the week, according to The Athletic journalist Simon Johnson.

The 18-year-old was also attracting interest from Liverpool, West Ham, Leicester, Southampton and Brighton but Marcelo Bielsa’s side are now in pole position to secure the England youth international’s signature, barring any last-minute hitches:

More on Lewis Bate’s imminent move from #CFC to #LUFC below. Time is running out for rival clubs to hijack the deal:https://t.co/GYsrPOuArT

— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) July 20, 2021

It is believed that personal terms are being discussed ahead of a Bate’s medical tomorrow, with Chelsea having agreed a fee, that includes a sell-on clause.

Johnson claimed in another report yesterday that Liverpool weren’t one of the teams who were pushing the hardest to sign the teenager, with both Leeds and West Ham thought to be the frontrunners.

Clearly, though, he was a player that the Reds academy staff were eyeing as someone who could make the step up to the first team in the not too distant future, but it appears they have lost out to a rival.