EFL Championship sides circling on-loan Chelsea star - break clause could see him leave in January

Championship sides set to move for Chelsea starlet

Chelsea reportedly hold a break clause in the contract of Leo Castledine that could see him recalled this January and sold to one of several interested Championship sides.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder has been in excellent form for Huddersfield Town this season, having registered 10 goals and two assists in League One over the course of the term, and multiple second-tier sides are looking into his availability this winter window.

Chelsea are open to making a permanent sale happen to an interested party, and withhold a clause in Castledine's loan terms that would enable The Blues to bring him back to Stamford Bridge and ready him for a sale.

Huddersfield, who are pushing for promotion back into the Championship after relegation in 2024, would be rocked by the sudden departure of one of their star players but would be otherwise helpless in preventing the move.

Leo Castledine heads Huddersfield Town in front 🙆‍♂️

That’s eight goals in nine games for this baller 😮‍💨

Watch EFL highlights on ITVX pic.twitter.com/BCDwyjTojR

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) January 1, 2026

Castledine's break clause is one to watch this winter

According to Football League World, Chelsea have a clause in the loan terms of Leo Castledine that would allow them to bring the 20-year-old back to Stamford Bridge in January - so long as they activate the clause within the first two weeks of the transfer window.

Several Championship clubs are interested in the permanent signing of Castledine this winter, and this interest could prompt Chelsea in activating his recall with the club happy to allow his sale.

Leo Castledine one to watch in January. Reported in the summer there was Championship interest in the Chelsea midfielder who went on to join #HTAFC on loan. 20yo's red-hot form (7 goals in 19 L1 games) has piqued Champ interest again + scope for a perm move to happen in Jan. #CFC pic.twitter.com/n2PIZR32vH

— Dan Marsh (@DanielMarsh92) December 22, 2025

Leo Castledine is within the final year of his Chelsea contract, but the club have the power to extend this deal by a further year should they be willing. Four different Championship sides at minimum are interested in signing Castledine this window amidst his excellent campaign in League One so far this term.

It isn't guaranteed that Castledine will be brought back to London from Huddersfield this month, but the Terriers will likely not be thrilled at the idea of the midfielder's early departure. Lee Grant's side currently sit nine points away from an automatic promotion spot, but do sit in the playoffs as they eye up a Championship return. Castledine has been a big part of that, with a haul of ten goals and two assists in the league alone.

Huddersfield are next in action on the 10th of January, where they face a trip to Stockport County on the early 12:30 kick-off.