Transfer expert confirms Rennes man as next Chelsea signing; several exits on

Edouard Mendy Stade Rennais TEAMtalk

Sky Sports’ transfer expert Kaveh Solhekol has claimed Rennes goalkeeper Edourard Mendy could sign for Chelsea “in the next few days” – but says a number of departures are also likely after a busy summer of transfers at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have already brought in six new faces, spending over £200million in the process. Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Thiago Silva are among those to have come in.

But their business has not been completed yet, with a goalkeeper still on Frank Lampard’s wishlist. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s underwhelming performances means he is keen to bring in a new glovesman.

It appears they have identified their man in Mendy, who impressed in Ligue 1 last term. Reports on Monday suggested the London club were close to reaching an agreement for the 28-year-old.

And Solhekol believes the deal could be completed in the coming days. Speaking on the Transfer Show, he said: “I think there will be at least one more incoming in the next few days. It’s likely to be a goalkeeper of course, I think it will probably be Edouard Mendy- the Rennes goalkepeer.

“Chelsea are in talks to sign him and I think it’s significant that Petr Cech, who is the technical and performance advisor at Chelsea, used to be a goalkeeper at Rennes as well so he’s got good contacts at the club.

“He’s somebody who has been very impressed with Edouard Mendy, so we expect him to become a Chelsea player maybe this week. I think that deal, we’re not quite sure of how much it will be for, but is likely to be around the £20million mark.

“That would mean mean Chelsea have spent £250million this summer, although that is offset by the money they got for selling Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata last summer.”

 

Departures also expected

With both defensive and attacking reinforcements signed, Chelsea are also open to letting a number of players leave.

The likes of Willian, Pedro and Ethan Ampadu have already made their way out, and Solhekol has named several others who are understood to be available.

“When it comes to trimming the squad, I think we will see that now,” he added.

Fikayo Tomori

“Historically, Chelsea always send a lot of their players out on loan, but there are other squad members who I think Frank Lampard would be willing to listen to offers for.

“Players for instance like [Andreas] Christensen, [Fikayo] Tomori, Emerson, [Davide] Zappacosta, [Victor] Moses, [Tiémoué] Bakayoko, [Michy] Batshuayi, those kind of players.

“So we’ve seen a lot of players coming in. But, I think in the next few days we’ll also see a lot of players leaving Stamford Bridge.”

 

READ MORE: Chelsea line up alternative goalkeeper signing should Mendy bid fail