Jake Clarke-Salter in profile as young Chelsea centre-back linked with Sheffield United move

Sheffield United are one of several teams on the tail of Jake Clarke-Salter following the revelation that Chelsea will not take up the option of renewing his contract. The 24-year-old will be available on a free transfer when his deal expires at the end of the month.

A battle for his signature is likely to ensue with the Blades facing competition from Coventry, Leeds, PSV and Club Brugge among other clubs. The Sky Blues possibly hold the advantage at the moment due to his recent loan spell with the club although United have made their interest clear in the young defender previously.

While plenty of supporters at Bramall Lane will have seen him in action in the Championship this season, many will be unaware of exactly what he would offer to the club. We have taken a look at the player United will be getting if they are able to sign Clarke-Salter.

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

A product of Chelsea’s extremely successful academy, he is one of a number of players who has been sent on several loans while the Blues assess whether he is good enough to feature for them in the Premier League. With the decision not to extend his contract, they clearly feel as though he isn’t quite of the required quality but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t a good player.

Clarke-Salter has impressed at each of the clubs he has represented so far, starting with his stint at Bristol Rovers during the 2016/17 season, a year after he made his one and only league appearance for Chelsea against Aston Villa. Since his time with the Gas, he has been on other loans to Sunderland and then Vitesse Arnhem in the Eredivisie.

He returned to English football after his season in the Netherlands