Chelsea hand Sheffield United Jake Clarke-Salter boost but Coventry City and Leeds United keen

Sheffield United-linked Jake Clarke-Salter looks set to be allowed to leave Chelsea on a free transfer. The 24-year-old's current deal at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of June.

According to YorkshireLive's sister site CoventryLive, the Blues will not take up the option of extending his stay in the capital by a further year and are instead allowing him to leave on June 30 at the end of his contract.

United are among a clutch of clubs credited with interested in the central defender, who spent last season on loan with Mark Robins' men. He played on the left of a three-man defence, which is one of the areas Paul Heckingbottom is looking to address as part of his summer strengthening.

With Ben Davies returning to Liverpool, the Blades boss has only Jack Robinson as a recognised left centre back and needs competition for his spot. Clarke-Salter finished inside the top 20 Championship players for most tackles, with an average of 2.3 per game.

The former England under-21 skipper is not short on experience despite making only two substitute appearances for his parent club. As well as last season's stint at the CBS Arena, he has previously had spells on loan at Birmingham, Sunderland and Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse Arnhem.

He has made a total of 110 senior league appearances already and as well as Sheffield United and Coventry, is said to be attracting interest from Dutch side PSV, Leeds United and Belgian outfit Club Brugge.

Coventry feel they have plenty of bargaining chips at the negotiating table. Robins was hugely impressed with him last season and described him as 'absolutely outstanding' after making 31 appearances in all competitions. Clarke-Salter is familiar with the club and was popular with supporters.

He