Chelsea defender Malang Sarr is a target for AS Monaco, with the Ligue 1 side hoping to seal a loan deal with an option to buy, according to reports.
The 23-year-old has made 102 Ligue 1 appearances throughout his time at OGC Nice before he moved to Chelsea.
The defender has since seen game time limited since joining Thomas Tuchel’s side, making just 21 appearances last campaign.
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A loan move to the Bundesliga was rumoured last summer, with a transfer breaking down before Tuchel decided to keep him at the club in January.
With Marc Cucurella set to join the Blues from Brighton and Hove Albion, Sarr could be allowed to depart as the Spaniard can operate at left centre-back in a back three.
Furthermore, the Blues are being heavily linked with a move for Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana as Tuchel wishes to strengthen his backline this summer, granting Sarr the opportunity to depart.
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An initial report from French journalist Santi Aouna has linked Sarr with a move back to France this summer.
He stated that AS Monaco are trying to sign the defender on a loan deal with an option to buy and the move appears to be on track.
This comes after Chelsea’s neighbour Fulham have also made an offer to sign the defender as they look to strengthen their defence ahead of the new Premier League season.
Matt Law of The Telegraph confirmed the moves, stating that Monaco are one of the clubs trying to sign Sarr on loan.
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He continues to state that if/when Chelsea complete the signing of Cucurella, Sarr will be given the green light to depart the club.
Fabrizio Romano also reported that Monaco are in negotiations with Chelsea.
The player’s preferred destination is a return to Ligue 1 rather than a move to Fulham, but Chelsea want their conditions for the move to be accepted.
It is unclear as to what Chelsea will demand from the loan as they look to be ready to offload players from their bloated squad ahead of the Premier League season.
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The Blues could have as many as two new signings through the door ahead of the opener against Everton, with Gabriel Slonina completing his Chelsea medical, while Cucurella is edging closer to a transfer to Tuchel’s side.
It remains to be seen as to who else will arrive at Stamford Bridge as Tuchel hopes to challenge at the top of the league once more.
Josko Gvardiol is a name that has been heavily linked with a move, with it unclear as to whether he is available this summer.
Topics: Chelsea, Malang Sarr, Transfers, AS Monaco, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Football, Thomas Tuchel
Nick Emms