Leeds United, Newcastle and Rangers are set to miss out on signing Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour, as Norwich City have booked a medical for Thursday, per Sky Sports.
The Canaries have won the race for the sought-after Scotland international after agreeing a deal in principle with Chelsea. Gilmour will join Daniel Farke’s Championship winners on loan for the 2021/22 campaign barring any issues with his medical.
Gilmour has already agreed to join Norwich, as he looks to play regular first-team football after occupying a bit-part role last term. Chelsea firmly see the 20-year-old’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge, but he only featured 11 times, starting eight, in 2020/21.
Norwich will have edged considerable rival interest for Gilmour, with Leeds, Newcastle and Rangers among those keen. The Northern Echo cited Steve Bruce as registering the Toon’s interest in May. While BBC Sport noted the Gers had explored a possible Ibrox return.
The Daily Record also claimed that Steven Gerrard had requested Rangers sought to sign Gilmour against interest from Leeds, Norwich and Wolverhampton Wanderers. But the Canaries appear to have come out on top as they build for their Premier League return.
Gilmour will join Southampton goalkeeper Angus Gunn and Werder Bremen forward Milot Rashica in securing moves to Norwich this summer. The Canaries paid £2.5m rising to £5m for Gunn, plus £9.5m for Rashica to replace Aston Villa’s record-signing Emiliano Buendia.
Leeds to rue missing out on Norwich bound Gilmour
Leeds will likely be made to rue Victor Orta failing to edge Norwich to signing Chelsea talent Gilmour on loan. The 20-year-old has proven his big-game ability by thriving on his first international start against England at Euro 2020.
He impressed when given chances to feature at Stamford Bridge under both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, as well. But needed to leave south west London on loan to gain regular minutes and take his ability to another level.
That’s not to say Gilmour is not already a vastly talented player Norwich will be glad to sign over Leeds. Ashley Cole offered a glowing endorsement of the Rangers product ahead of the Euro 2020 clash between England and Chelsea.
“He has got a good character and mentality,” the Chelsea coach told the ITV Football Football Show. “[He] wants to work hard, always wants to improve, always listens to the coaches, the managers whether he trained with the Under 23s. He has got top quality.”
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