Chelsea have agreed a £38.6million deal to sign defender Axel Disasi from AS Monaco.
The 25-year-old has been signed following a serious injury to Wesley Fofana, who has been sidelined for the foreseeable.
The Blues have acted decisively as both Manchester United and Arsenal were tracking the four-time France international.
Disasi will complete a medical and sign a five-year deal, with the option of a further year, at Stamford Bridge in the coming days.
The signing throws Trevoh Chalobah’s future into major doubt despite playing more pre-season minutes than any other player under Mauricio Pochettino.
Chalobah has major interest from Inter Milan but it is unclear whether the Italian giants are willing to pay a significant fee.
The Blues now have six major senior central defenders on their books, including Fofana.
Levi Colwill’s future also remains uncertain despite Chelsea offering the youngster a new contract amid Brighton interest.
Chelsea insist he is not for sale and have so far resisted calls to include him in negotiations with Brighton to sign primary midfield target Moises Caicedo.
