Bristol City dealt blow in chase for highly-rated Chelsea starlet as Luton Town midfielder is linked

Latest as RB Leipzig drag their feet

Bristol City may have been dealt a blow in their chase for Ethan Ampadu.

The Daily Mail report that the highly-rated Chelsea starlet, who can play in both defence and midfield, looks set to stay at RB Leipzig for the remainder of the season.

City were hopeful that the Bundesliga side would be willing to terminate Ampadu's loan due to a lack of football, with the 19-year-old having made just two substitute appearances in the league, alongside three cup appearances.

Indeed, Ampadu has played as many times for Wales as he has for Leipzig this season.

With Chelsea not having a recall clause in Ampadu's loan deal, there is little the Stamford Bridge club can do apart from trying to change Leipzig's mind.

The deal is not dead yet, with the Robins having a good relationship with Leipzig after Lee Johnson visited the club last year - so City could well convince the Bundesliga high-fliers to let Ampadu leave, especially if, as believed, the player is keen on a return to England.

Yet the Robins have also reportedly turned to other midfield targets, with Luton Town star Pelly Ruddock linked.

The BBC's Alistair Durden tweeted that Ampadu is still the Robins' first choice, but that club are looking at 26-year-old Ruddock.

Ruddock, a tough-tackling midfielder, has made 29 Championship appearances for the Hatters this season, scoring three goals.

He has been a key part of Luton's rise to the second tier, having made over 200 appearances for the club since joining from West Ham United in 2013.