Chelsea boss will allow Kurt Zouma exit

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is open to the option of a temporary spell for Kurt Zouma, who failed to break into the starting lineup during the title-winning season.

The France international recovered from his knee injury midway through the campaign, but Conte opted to stick with his preferred trio of Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill at the heart of the defence.

Zouma had to satisfy himself with a few appearances in the Cup games while league action was also dependent on injuries to one of the central defensive trident.

The former Saint-Etienne has previously iterated that he would require regular first-team football in order to break into the France squad, and according to The Sun, he will be allowed to pursue a season-long loan away from Stamford Bridge.

Cash-rich Marseille are currently the favourites to sign the French centre-back as they plan to make the most of the summer transfer window under new boss Frank McCourt.