Leeds United are reportedly one of a number of Championship sides that may be interested in taking Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour on loan. 

The Scottish teenager made his senior debut for the Premier League side in the EFL Cup against Grimsby Town earlier this season and was integral in his side's 7-1 victory.

With a number of first-team stars ahead of him in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, Gilmour told BBC Scotland that a loan move could be what he needs.

He said: "I need to play more first-team games, at Chelsea or maybe out on loan. I need to get more experience."

According to London Football News, Gilmour is one of the players in the Chelsea development side that Leeds have been tracking and the Whites may be open to taking him on loan if the option arises.

It appears the Yorkshire club may face some competition as Nottingham Forest are also understood to be interested in the teenager.

With that in mind, we've laid out three reasons why Marcelo Bielsa's side must beat their Championship rivals to the signing if he becomes available.

He looks a talented young player. 

Gilmour's excellent pedigree, having developed at Rangers and Chelsea, is an indication of just how talented a player he is.

It is believed that Frank Lampard refused to send him out on loan this summer because he wanted to use him in the first-team, which shows his quality.

Leeds only have to look at the sort of success Chelsea loanees have had in recent seasons (Reece James, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Conor Gallagher) to see the sort of impact signing him could have.

He has impressed in first-team football already.

The Scottish U21 international made his first-team debut for Chelsea earlier this season and put in an impressive performance in the 7-1 destruction of Grimsby in the Carabao Cup.

According to Lampard, Gilmour "ran the game from midfield", while the Daily Mail described the teenager as "a stand-out performer".

That performance and his display as a substitute against Sheffield United in the Premier League would suggest that he is more than ready for first-team football.

Leeds have struggled to break teams down this season. 

Leeds have conceded the least goals in the Championship this season but for all their defensive might they have struggled at times to break teams down.

Against opponents such as Swansea City, Nottingham Forest, and Charlton Athletic, the Whites dominated the game but were unable to turn it into three points.

Gilmour, a midfielder with vision and a good range of passing, could help the Whites when they're struggling to unlock Championship defences.

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