Malang Sarr leaves Chelsea for Monaco on loan with a view to a £10m permanent deal, with Thomas Tuchel pushing for another defender as rebuild continues
- Defender Malang Sarr has joined Monaco on a one-year loan deal from Chelsea
- The Frenchman was down the pecking order in central defence at the Blues
- Chelsea are trying to sign another centre-back after Kalidou Koulibaly’s arrival
- Manager Thomas Tuchel has been rebuilding his defence this transfer window
- There is a view to a permanent move after Sarr rejected an offer from Fulham
Chelsea defender Malang Sarr has joined Monaco on a season-long loan deal.
The 23-year-old has made 21 games for the Blues since joining from Nice on a five-year deal in 2020.
The Frenchman has found himself down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge in recent times, and, despite Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger moving on this summer, Kalidou Koulibaly has arrived from Napoli and captain Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a new contract, meaning Sarr seemed set to still struggle for minutes in Thomas Tuchel‘s side.
Central defender Malang Sarr has left Chelsea to join Monaco on a one-year loan deal
Sarr has made 21 appearances for the Blues since joining on a five-year deal from Nice in 2020
The move has been completed with a view to a £10million permanent move next summer, with Sarr rejecting the chance to sign for Premier League new boys Fulham.
Monaco finished third in Ligue 1 last season and have made several additions in an attempt to improve their fortunes.
Takumi Minamino and Breel Embolo have been the highlight of the incomings, joining from Liverpool and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively, with Sarr becoming the latest of a series of new signings.
Sarr was a regular in the first-team at Nice when he was just 17, before leaving to join Chelsea.
He found game time limited last season and his fortunes didn’t look set to improve this year, and he has been granted a move away on a temporary basis.
Chelsea are still in the market for another centre-back, and have been in negotiations with Leicester for Wesley Fofana.
Chelsea are considering whether to submit a third bid for Leicester defender Wesley Fofana
The Blues have already submitted two bids for Fofana, with the second thought to be worth around £65million.
Leicester have publicly stated that the defender is not for sale, but it is believed a fee in excess of £80million could change their mind.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has told Fofana that staying at Leicester would be his option if he wants to make France’s World Cup squad.
Chelsea have also reportedly shown interest in Manchester United target Frankie de Jong.
