Chelsea have agreed a £38m deal with Monaco to sign France defender Axel Disasi, following Wesley Fofana's serious knee injury. Disasi will provide extra competition at centre-back and is due to discuss personal terms before completing a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's co-sporting director, Laurence Stewart, was hired from Monaco this year and knows Disasi well. The 25-year-old former Reims centre-back is regarded as one of the biggest talents in Ligue 1 and was part of France's World Cup squad last year. His arrival could increase the possibility of Trevoh Chalobah leaving Chelsea, with Internazionale and West Ham interested.
With Fofana potentially out for the season after knee surgery, Chelsea's options in central defence include Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Benoît Badiashile, and the inexperienced Bashir Humphreys. Badiashile was signed from Monaco in January and also knows Disasi well. Humphreys is likely to go on loan.
The club are also considering a move for Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, who has fallen out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi. Chelsea are monitoring the situation and are expected to bid for the Spain international as competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Mauricio Pochettino is keen to sign a goalkeeper this summer, but Chelsea have decided not to spend big on a new No 1 after failing to find a buyer for Arrizabalaga. They are prepared to compromise by bringing in experienced cover after the sale of Édouard Mendy to Al-Ahli.
