Billy Gilmour in talks with Southampton over Chelsea loan exit on transfer deadline day February 1, 2021 – Posted in: Soccer

Billy Gilmour is in talks with Southampton over a loan move to St Mary’s for the Chelsea starlet.

Gilmour is expected to depart Stamford Bridge following Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as manager, having been left out both of the Blues boss’ matchday squads so far.

The Daily Mail claim Gilmour has told Chelsea bosses he wants to leave on deadline day, and Saints have opened talks over taking him to the south coast.

Southampton are on the hunt for midfield reinforcements today and 19-year-old Gilmour has already proven his quality in the Premier League.

He’s made eight appearances in England’s top-flight and also played in the Champions League, while his breakthrough campaign last term saw him put in man of the match displays against Liverpool and Everton.

Frank Lampard was a big fan of the teenager but it appears his Stamford Bridge successor Tuchel is not as prepared to risk Gilmour as he attempts to guide the Blues back to the upper echelons of the Premier League.

This has opened the door for Gilmour to depart west London for the second half of the season, with the teenager hoping to break into the senior Scotland squad ahead of the rescheduled Euro 2020 this summer.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the Arsenal player, is also wanted by Saints but they face competition from Leicester, West Brom and Newcastle for his signature.