KEY POINTS

  • Norwich City seems close to getting Billy Gilmour on loan
  • Other clubs could still pitch and beat Norwich for Gilmour
  • Thomas Tuchel is expected to evaluate other players on loans

Norwich City is reportedly on the brink of signing Billy Gilmour of Chelsea on loan.

This provides more clarity on the future of the Scottish midfielder, who has been linked to several English Premier League clubs.

Gilmour has fallen down the ranks of the Blues with several top names around. That list includes N’Golo Kanté, Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho last season.

The 20-year-old is now in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. He was limited to only five appearances last season, failing to hit it well with Blues manager Thomas Tuchel.

Being dealt out on loan is seen as the best recourse for Gilmour to further hone his skills.

Gilmour was not part of the Scottish team that crashed out of Euro 2020. Regardless, he is considered as one of the top young talents at Stamford Bridge.

He had his best performances under former boss Frank Lampard and showed some glimpses of brilliance under Tuchel.

But with a stacked midfield, Gilmour has failed to get ample playing time. Chelsea is reportedly ready to let him join the Canaries, where he could flourish under the watch of Norwich manager Daniel Farke.

If Norwich City can close the deal, Gilmour would be the latest addition to Carrow Road.

Angus Gunn previously agreed to join the Canaries on a four-year deal coming from Southampton.

A better picture of things to come may not come as early as of Thursday–the day that Gilmour's quarantine would end.

He could be ready to undergo a medical at that point. But until that time comes, Norwich City will be sitting on pins and needles with other clubs ready to possibly snag the Scottish midfielder from their clutches.

For the Blues, the exit of Gilmour is unlikely to be felt. Though he is a proven quality player, Chelsea would be free to add another player to cover the midfield.

But all that also hinges on the plans for two other players–Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Boy wonder: Billy Gilmour won man-of-the-match on his first international start
Boy wonder: Billy Gilmour won man-of-the-match on his first international start POOL / FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

In a previous post, Loftus-Cheek was mentioned as a possible player that would be offered in the Blues pursuit of Achraf Hakimi.

He spent last season on loan at Fulham, but he may want to prove himself as worthy of a spot at Stamford Bridge.

Bakayoko has also struggled since joining Chelsea in 2017 and has been loaned out the last three seasons.

The Blues are also listening to offers for the Monaco midfielder.

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