Former French U21 international Malang Sarr could be fast approaching a return home this summer after Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco has opened negotiations with Chelsea for the 23-year-old center-back.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano cited Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna with the update on the situation regarding Sarr, who was seemingly closing in on a move to promoted outfit Fulham as Marco Silva looks to strengthen a poorly under-staffed defensive unit at Craven Cottage.
AS Monaco are in negotiations with Chelsea for Malang Sarr. Ligue1, fav destination for the player despite the proposal received from Fulham – as reported in the morning. 🚨⚪️🔴 #CFC
Chelsea want their conditions to be accepted. Monaco, on it – as called by @Santi_J_FM. pic.twitter.com/2CFtrn0Tos
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2022
Chelsea is said to want all their conditions regarding Sarr met, with Monaco amenable to the terms which are reported to be an initial loan for the upcoming 2022-23 season with the principality side having the option to purchase the French defender in a full deal moving forward.
Though Fulham has also tabled an offer for Sarr, the Nice native prefers a return to France where he first shone with hometown club OGC Nice after coming through the club’s academy set-up, making his first-team debut, and subsequent breakout for Les Aiglons in 2016-17.
Despite fan-fare and coming highly rated after four seasons on the French Riviera, Sarr has featured on just 21 occasions for Chelsea last season across all competitions in the wake of a season-long loan with Portuguese giants FC Porto where he managed just 18 appearances, only eight of which came in Liga NOS.
With Chelsea still looking to bring in center-back reinforcements this summer despite Thomas Tuchel currently boasting six central defenders in the senior squad, the majority are deemed not fit for his tactical needs and certainly, the need to replace both Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen is of paramount importance.
