Chelsea has been the most active Premier League club in the transfer market this summer and looks set to continue their recruitment frenzy with the addition of the centre-back. The Blues are ‘close to signing France Under-21 international Malang Sarr as a free agent on a five-year deal’. Arsenal has previously been linked with the French defender but Chelsea now looks in pole position to secure a deal, potentially as early as this week.
The 21-year-old defender is available after leaving Nice and his representatives have held talks with the west London club over a five-year deal. Sarr made 20 appearances for Nice last season and parted company with them after failing to agree on terms on a new contract. He has been tracked by Real Betis and several Bundesliga clubs but it is understood his wage demands have put off potential suitors.
However, Sarr is unlikely to feature for the Blues next season. This is because he is expected to be loaned out to a club in one of the other top four European leagues in order to continue his development before returning next summer to be evaluated.
Sarr, who has won over 40 youth caps from Under-16s to 21s level for France, is comfortable on the ball, which will be suitable as top sides have moved to ensure their stoppers are ball-players in recent years. Securing the signature of an exciting talent like Sarr on a free transfer would no doubt be a bargain for any top side, Chelsea is on the brink of recruiting someone that could play a key role in the near future.
Chelsea is in the midst of a squad overhaul and already agreed on deals for both Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner before the summer transfer window had even opened. They are now set to complete the signings of Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz this week while Thiago Silva is expected to move to Stamford Bridge in a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
