Wales star Ethan Ampadu is set to join Sheffield United on loan, according to reports.
The Sun state that Chelsea are willing to let the starlet leave Stamford Bridge in order for him to get game-time under his belt.
Exeter product Ampadu has been in West London since 2017 but has failed to get any regular minutes under various managers, and spent last season out on loan in Germany with RB Leipzig.
His time with the Bundesliga club was blighted by injury, but it was peppered with some encouraging performances too, such as his display against Tottenham in the Champions League.
Ampadu was played in defence by national team boss Ryan Giggs in the latest Nations League games last week - two 1-0 wins over Finland and Bulgaria respectively.
Blues manager Frank Lampard has given youth a chance since his appointment last summer but the rookie boss has splashed the cash during this window, with more than £200million worth of talent arriving at the Bridge.
Veteran Thiago Silva will likely get the nod at centre-back, and with midfield also looking congested, a temporary move for Ampadu would probably suit all parties.
Chris Wilder's Blades were a surprise package last season, finishing ninth after a strong start to the campaign, and Ampadu would add further steel to their armoury.
News of the prospective loan has left Blues fans scratching their heads, though.
Giggs will hope that wherever Ampadu plays his football this term that it will be on a regular basis ahead of next summer's rearranged European Championships.
