Chelsea close to sealing deal for £15m centre-back

Premier League leaders Chelsea are reportedly nearing an agreement to sign young defender Issa Diop from French club Toulouse.

The 20-year-old, who is a centre-back by trade, has come through the youth system at his current club to establish himself as a regular in the first-team.

Diop has already amassed 24 appearances in the French Ligue 1 this term, and his performances have attracted interest from several other English clubs including Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

According to The Mirror, Antonio Conte's men appear to have won the race for the France Under-21 international, and the deal is in the final stage of discussions.

Diop, who participated for the victorious France squad at the European Under-19 Championship last summer, is understood to prefer a switch to the Premier League despite interest from Italian pair Parma and Roma.

The west London giants will pay up a sum of around £15m to bring the young prospect to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window.