Fikayo Tomori is being linked with a move to Leeds United when the January transfer window opens.
The Chelsea defender has found first-team opportunities limited so far this season, making just three appearances across all competitions as he feels the effects of Frank Lampard's busy summer transfer window.
Of the seven new first-team arrivals at Stamford Bridge, Thiago Silva has arguably made the biggest impact and he's forged a successful partnership with Kurt Zouma in central defence.
As a result, Tomori has found himself relegated to the fifth choice centre-back behind the aforementioned duo as well as Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
In order to play regularly during the second half of the season, Tomori will almost certainly need to leave Chelsea.
And according to a report in the national media, the Blues have already set about preparing for his departure in the New Year, with the out-of-favour centre-back linked with a move to Leeds United.
However, the report does state that the former Derby County loanee is poised to join French outfit Rennes on loan for the remainder of the season.
That may be for the best as some Leeds fans may have not forgotten Tomori's actions on his last visit to Elland Road in May 2019.
In the 2018/2019 campaign, Marcelo Bielsa's side were caught spying on Derby's training sessions and tensions were running high when the two sides met in the Championship play-off semi-final.
After then-Derby boss Frank Lampard had been accused of 'crying' about the 'Spygate' incident, Tomori and Mason Mount - both on loan with the Rams that season - delivered their verdict on Leeds with a brilliant response after their second leg win at Elland Road.
From the photos above, you can see Tomori, Mount and other Derby players pretended to be wearing binoculars as they looked towards their own fans, something that the supporters reciprocated in glee.
Last month, Lampard issued an update on Tomori's future, insisting the defender remains part of his long-term plans.
"I think there’s arguments on both sides. Fikayo is our contracted player. We know that West Ham were interested," he said as quoted by The Guardian. "Fikayo took the decision not to go and that’s well within his rights. That had no bearing on my thoughts at all. He’s still a developing player.
"When I say developing, he’s had a great two years. He got himself in the England team, was one of the best defenders in the Championship and then played 20-plus games for Chelsea. It’s normal for a young player sometimes, in a squad as competitive as ours, where there are periods where you maybe aren’t playing every week."
