Southampton are set to miss out on the signing of Billy Gilmour with Chelsea now keen to keep hold of the midfielder, according to The Telegraph reporter Matt Law.
I'm told Billy Gilmour will NOT go out on loan today. Chelsea want him involved in the first-year squad #cfc
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) February 1, 2021
The Saints have been in talks with Chelsea over the potential loan signing of the 19-year-old midfielder and were hoping to sort something out before the window closes, according to Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam.
The Saints have been linked with a potential late move to bring in Gilmour on loan and the midfielder has already informed the Blues of his desire to secure a temporary move away from the club, as per Daily Mail. The teenager was hoping that a run of games in the Premier League could see him potentially make it into the Scotland squad for Euro 2020 in the summer.
Southampton have reportedly been holding talks with the Blues over a potential loan move for Gilmour, with the Saints keen to add to their midfield options before the window closes and provide competition and cover for the likes of Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse and Ibrahima Diallo.
An update from McAdam suggested that talks were underway between the two clubs and that a loan move was possible before the window closes tonight. However, Law’s update reveals that the Saints will now miss out on the 19-year-old, who is set to be given more first team chances by new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
Read Southampton verdict
This would have been a very exciting addition for the Saints, with Gilmour possessing plenty of potential and talent. Frank Lampard was a fan of the 19-year-old and labelled him as ‘outstanding’ last season for the impact that he had made on the side. However, he has found game-time harder to come by this term after the Blues’ summer transfer splurge.
It seems that Chelsea now want to keep hold of him and offer him more game-time. That is a blow for the Saints, who were hoping they could convince him to make the move to St Mary’s with the intention of playing more regularly than he has been at Stamford Bridge.
