Chelsea have agreed to sign Malang Sarr on a five-year deal after his contract with Nice expired but are expected to immediately send the France Under-21 international out on loan.
The 21-year-old will complete a medical this week ahead of his move to west London, meaning Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke and unnamed Italian clubs will miss out on the central defender.
It is understood that Arsenal had also been tracking Sarr, but opted not to offer him a contract upon the completion of his previous deal with Nice.
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The Blues could make it six completed summer deals by the end of the week, with Thiago Silva expected to join after leaving Paris Saint-Germain following their 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.