Chelsea are closing in on a €37 million deal to sign Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile, sources have told ESPN.
The 21-year-old is expected to undergo a medical within the next 24 hours after agreeing terms on a long-term contract.
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Assuming the transfer is completed, Badiashile will strengthen the Blues’ centre-back options and he represents a cheaper alternative to RB Leipzig‘s Josko Gvardiol, who had been the club’s top defensive target but the two clubs have so far not been able to agree a fee.
Badiashile has made 106 league appearances for Monaco and twice represented France at senior level, although he missed out on a place in Didier Deschamps’ World Cup finals squad in Qatar.
He represents the latest step in new co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s plan to sign young players with big potential on long-term deals as part of an overhaul of Chelsea’s squad under head coach Graham Potter.
