Report: Tottenham and Leeds set to miss out on Zak Sturge

Add as preferred source on Google

Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United are looking set to miss out on young defender Zak Sturge, with 90min reporting that the 18-year-old is closing in on joining Chelsea.

Sturge is attracting a host of admirers with his form for Brighton’s youth ranks. He predominantly played for the under-18s last term, making 16 league appearances. Meanwhile, he featured once in Premier League 2 for the Seagulls’ under-23s.

90min reports that he has rejected a new contract with Brighton. And he is now looking set to leave the south coast club.

Chelsea are closing in on agreeing a deal for Sturge. They reportedly want to agree a fee with Brighton for the left-back rather than pay compensation.

And his move to Stamford Bridge is likely to disappoint a number of their top-flight rivals. Leeds, Spurs and Brentford all had the teenager on their radar.

Tottenham and Leeds miss out on Sturge

Sturge seemingly had the pick of a number of superb options having decided that he wanted to leave Brighton.

Chelsea have played their part in the development of a number of outstanding young players down the years. Many of those players are now playing at some of the biggest clubs in Europe, regularly featuring in the top leagues.

Spurs have a cluster of real gems coming through right now. The likes of Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett have certainly established themselves as names to look out for.

Leeds meanwhile, can offer perhaps the clearest pathway to the first-team. They have bolstered their academy ranks with some superb prospects in recent years.

The likes of Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood are very much in the first-team fold at Elland Road. And they may have hoped that Sturge would be keen – particularly with their under-23 ranks needing more quality at left-back.

But it is Chelsea who are close to winning the race.