Chelsea transfer reveal is exciting reminder for Leeds United ahead of big summer: View | OneFootball

News that Alfie Gilchrist is reportedly open to joining Leeds United will come as a boost to Daniel Farke ahead of a critical summer, and it's a reminder of the Whites' status in the Championship.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, the Whites are among a number of clubs eyeing a move for the defender, with Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers also interested.

Gilchrist has come through the Chelsea academy system, and has broken into the first team squad at Stamford Bridge, featuring 11 times in the Premier League last season and starting London derbies against Arsenal and Tottenham in the final month of the campaign.

However, a lack of regular game time under Mauricio Pochettino last season has called into question his future with the Blues, who have since replaced the Argentine with Enzo Maresca.

As a result, the 20-year-old could be loaned out for next season in order to continue gaining regular first team experience.

And speaking to the JustJoe Football Show, Jacobs suggested Gilchrist would be open to join Leeds, despite the rivalry between the two clubs.

The development is a reminder that the Whites remain one of the most attractive clubs in the Championship, despite missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

Leeds face busy summer ahead

Farke's men finished third in the table and swept aside Norwich City 4-0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, only to lose 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley.

Failure to seal promotion, coupled with the need to comply with the Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), means Leeds will in all likelihood have to sacrifice at least one of their prized assets this summer.

And with the likes of Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto set to be in high demand, and Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter suitors could soon be forming an orderly queue outside Elland Road.

But it could also be a busy summer on the arrival front, with Leeds interested in signing Excelsior Rotterdam winger Couhaib Driouech, according to Dutch outlet Voetbal Zone.

The 22-year-old impressed in an Excelsior side that ultimately suffered relegation, registering six goals and six assists from 26 appearances in the Eredivisie, and the report noted he's already attracted the interest of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.

According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Whites are also expected to welcome back Brenden Aaronson from his loan at Union Berlin and the American international would be a useful addition to their midfield.

Where Alfie Gilchrist would fit at Leeds

Gilchrist's arrival, meanwhile, would give Farke some much-needed flexibility at the back. The Chelsea defender can play both as a centre-back and a right-back, and his versatility could be important for Leeds, who are expected to lose Charlie Cresswell and Joe Rodon this summer.

Alan Nixon reported via his Patreon that Toulouse, Hannover and Hertha Berlin are interested in signing the former, who played only seven games last season, with Leeds set to demand a fee in the region of £3m.

Rodon, meanwhile, has returned to Tottenham after his loan spell expired, but Leeds remain hopeful to bring him back to Elland Road, as per the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The realistic outcome is Leeds may have to sell at least one, perhaps two, of Summerville, Gray, Gnonto and Rutter but even in that scenario, Farke would have a talented squad at his disposal to mount another promotion push. Signing a promising youngster such as Gilchrist would only strenghten their chances.