Chelsea transfers: Pochettino doubles down to solve problem area as £38m fee agreed for former Man Utd target

Reports claim Chelsea have agreed a deal with Monaco to sign defender Axel Disasi after the unfortunate injury to Wesley Fofana.

Fofana, 22, moved from Leicester City to Stamford Bridge for £70m last summer. But his first season with the Blues did not go as planned as a nasty knee injury restricted him to just 15 Premier League appearances. The France international would have hoped to bounce back and make his mark in the upcoming campaign.

However, reports suggest he may miss the entire season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury during pre-season.

Rumours that Chelsea want to re-sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi have started to do the rounds.

And now it appears as though they are close to landing another defender with just two weeks to go before the Premier League begins.

The Athletic are reporting that the France international will sign for Mauricio Pochettino’s side after the clubs agreed on a fee.

He has made 99 Ligue 1 appearances for the principality outfit after joining from Reins in the summer of 2020.

Les Rouge et Blanc paid just £11m for the man from the Paris suburbs and are set to make a decent profit.

Chelsea have seen many players leave the club this summer with just three additions to date.

READ MORE: Chelsea move for £60m-rated England international ‘gathering pace’ as Arsenal, Tottenham watch on

Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson and Angelo have arrived but they may be about to add to that number.

Veteran stopper Thiago Silva is still on the books but it seems as though Pochettino wants help for his rearguard.

Man Utd abandon Disasi pursuit

Chelsea are not the only club to have had eyes on Disasi this summer. Newcastle and Manchester United have also been linked, with the latter thought to be extremely interested.

However, it was reported earlier this month that the Red Devils had shelved plans to sign the Frenchman.

That has opened the door for Chelsea who are tipped to land the player in the coming days.

However, they are also said to be closing in on a deal for Guehi.

The Ivory Coast-born ace spent 14 years at Chelsea but made only two EFL Cup appearances for the senior side.

Palace paid £18m for the centre-half and have reaped the benefits, with Guehi making 73 top-flight appearances across two seasons.

Gareth Southgate has been a keen observer, handing him an England debut against Switzerland in March last year.

The powerful defender now has four Three Lions caps to his name and is a player trending in the right direction.

Chelsea might have seen the error of their ways as they attempt to lure him back to the Bridge.

And they are clearly looking long term if Disasi and Guehi do end up in west London. Silva will be 39 in September and cannot go on for ever.

READ MORE: Pochettino changes tack as Chelsea prepare £112m bid for untouchable Caicedo alternative wanted by Liverpool, Man City