Leeds United Lose Mudryk to Tottenham on Deadline Day
Leeds United’s search for a winger has taken a major hit on deadline day, with Mykhailo Mudryk set to join Tottenham Hotspur after a dramatic late twist in the market.
Daniel Farke had identified wide reinforcements as a priority and Leeds were firmly in the race for the Chelsea attacker, but Spurs have surged ahead and are now preparing to put Mudryk through a medical before the 11pm deadline.
A paid loan, a huge buy option, and a major hijack
Tottenham moved decisively. According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, the north London club have agreed a paid loan for Mudryk, with a non-mandatory buy option set at around £75 million.
On X, Romano wrote: “BREAKING: Mykhaylo Mudryk to Tottenham, here we go! Everything agreed also on personal terms. Mudryk joins #THFC on paid loan and also understand there will be a buy option clause not mandatory in the agreement. The Ukrainian will re-join De Zerbi.”
The wording underlines the scale of Spurs’ intent. They have not only beaten Leeds to a key attacking target, they have also positioned themselves for a potential long-term deal if Mudryk reignites his career in north London.
The move continues a lavish window for Roberto de Zerbi’s side, who have already put together one of the most eye-catching recruitment drives of the summer. Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka have all arrived on free transfers, while Jan Paul van Hecke (£52m), Mateus Fernandes (£85m), Sandro Tonali (£92.5m) and Savinho (£75m) have come in for huge fees. Omar Marmoush has also joined on loan from Manchester City.
Now Mudryk is set to be added to that list, with centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo also due for a medical as he prepares to swap Chelsea blue for Spurs colours.
Mudryk’s road back from doping ban
Mudryk’s situation carries an extra layer of intrigue. The 25-year-old was suspended for four years in 2024 after a failed drug test detected a low concentration of meldonium, a prohibited substance.
He has not played since November of that year, his career effectively put on ice at a time when he was expected to kick on at the top level. That exile is now over. Following an appeal, his doping ban was resolved and he was cleared to return to competitive action at the end of last month.
Tottenham are gambling that the enforced break has not dulled his pace or his edge. Leeds, who had tracked the Ukrainian as a potential solution on the flank, are left to reassess.
Leeds’ wide men on notice
Missing out on Mudryk shifts the spotlight back onto the wingers already in Farke’s squad. The immediate beneficiaries? Two Welsh internationals.
Daniel James and Harry Wilson now stand to gain from the collapse of Leeds’ Mudryk pursuit. Wilson, brought in on a free from Fulham in the summer, is pushing to nail down a regular place in the starting XI. James, meanwhile, is trying to relaunch his career after a difficult 18 months ravaged by injuries.
Both know the manager still wants more firepower. Farke remains determined to strengthen in the final third before the window shuts, and that ambition keeps pressure on every attacker in the building.
Leeds finished 14th in the Premier League last season. The message from Elland Road is clear: that is not good enough.
Gnonto future tied to late business
The ripple effect of the Mudryk deal also touches Wilfried Gnonto. The Italian is expected to leave for Fiorentina, but that move hinges on Leeds finding a replacement in time.
No new winger, no green light. The club will not sanction Gnonto’s exit unless they can bring in another attacker before the clock runs down.
The deadline is 11pm. Mudryk is heading to Tottenham. Leeds must now find an answer out wide, and fast, or risk going into the new campaign one attacker short and one major target down.
