Chelsea want to sign 21-year-old defender

Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Malang Sarr on a free transfer, a report from L'Equipe claims.

The centre-back parted ways with Nice following the expiry of his contract on June 30 and he has since been on the search for a new club

It is now reported that the Blues have opened negotiations to land the 21-year-old's signature and plan to loan him out for the 2020/21 season.

Sarr made 119 appearances for Nice between 2016 and 2020 and he decided against signing a new deal despite their ambitious project under Patrick Vieira.

Arsenal were previously credited with an interest in his services, but a move seems unlikely after their recent purchase of Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.

The Gunners have already agreed on a deal worth £27m for the Brazilian centre-back and an announcement could be made in the forthcoming days.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have focused on bolstering the attack to date with the purchases of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner from Ajax and RB Leipzig respectively.