Chelsea are set to miss out on young striker Conrad Harder, who is opting for RB Leipzig ahead of a move to join the Blues on deadline day, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues found themselves in a pickle after summer signing Liam Delap picked up an injury that will make him miss a large portion of the season.
Chelsea had already agreed to loan Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich, while youngster Marc Guiu had joined Sunderland, making three appearances and scoring once.
The West Londoners were in the market for a new striker and considered a move for Harder, but it appears he is not keen on a Stamford Bridge switch.
🚨🔴⚪️ Understand RB Leipzig are closing in on Conrad Harder deal, verbal agreement at final stages!
Details being fixed and then Harder will fly to Germany for medical tests and contract signing. pic.twitter.com/MDkISOMdY0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2025
Hailed as a player with ‘enormous potential’, Harder has been hell-bent on joining Leipzig for his development, snubbing AC Milan, Rennes, and now Chelsea.
The talented young striker caught the eye playing as back-up to Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting CP.
However, they signed Luis Suarez to replace the Swede, forcing Harder to look for a new stomping ground.
Chelsea have now been forced into a dramatic U-turn, recalling both Jackson and Guiu in a matter of hours.
It is an extraordinary reflection of how muddled their planning has become.
Having sanctioned exits for the pair without a clear succession plan in place, the club is suddenly short of options and scrambling at the last minute.
This constant toying with players’ careers, telling them one thing, then reversing course as circumstances change, creates an environment of uncertainty.
Jackson was already in Germany for medicals with Bayern, while Guiu was beginning to find his feet at Sunderland, only to be pulled back abruptly.
For a club of Chelsea’s stature, such indecision is ludicrous even by their own standards of chaotic recruitment.
It raises serious questions about their sporting direction and whether players can truly trust the promises being made at Stamford Bridge.