Chelsea and Monaco have agreed terms for the transfer of Axel Disasi, according to The Athletic.
The Blues will fork out a fee of around €45 million to acquire the services of Disasi with the Frenchman expected to sign an initial five-year contract plus the option for an additional 12 months.
Amid interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United and Manchester United, Disasi is on course to become Chelsea’s fourth summer signing after the acquisitions of Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Lesley Ugochukwu.
Following Wesley Fofana’s long-term injury, which is set to see him miss large spells of the upcoming campaign, Chelsea have been forced to target defensive reinforcements.
They were recently linked with a move for former academy graduate Marc Guehi but have opted to sign Disasi.
He will be the second player to depart Monaco for Chelsea this year following Benoit Badiashile’s switch in January.
Monaco have already secured a replacement for Disasi, having agreed a deal to sign Mohammed Salisu.
Disasi’s impending arrival is likely to signal the exit of Trevoh Chalobah amid interest from Serie A outfit Inter Milan.
Chalobah has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, and the 24-year-old looks set to finally depart his boyhood club.
Chelsea are far from done with their transfer business, as they remain in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion over a deal for Moises Caicedo.
They have already had four bids rejected for Caicedo but remain keen admirers of the Ecuadorian midfielder and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia.
Chelsea are also eyeing a new goalkeeper to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga, and a swoop for Robert Sanchez has been mooted.