Chelsea agree season-long loan deal with Real Sociedad for defender Mamadou Sarr | OneFootball

Chelsea have reached an agreement to loan defender Mamadou Sarr to Real Sociedad for the 2026-27 season.

The Senegal international is set to leave Stamford Bridge on a temporary deal without an option to buy after largely failing to impress at the club (via Santi Aouna).

The 20-year-old centre-back joined the club on a permanent deal from Strasbourg last summer for around £11.9 million, signing an eight-year contract.

His transfer had been agreed ahead of the summer, and he made one appearance for the club in the FIFA Club World Cup.

After the tournament, it was decided that he should go out on loan to gain more experience.

Mamadou Sarr spent the first half of the 2025-26 season back on loan at Strasbourg, where he played 18 times across all competitions.

He was recalled by former Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior after his appointment as the Blues boss, but he made only six appearances in the second half of the campaign.

Mamadou Sarr appeared thrice in pre-season for Xabi Alonso’s side, but never managed to prove himself as an option heading into the season.

He was tracked by Saudi giants Al-Hilal, but Real Sociedad appear to have won the race for his signature.

The Basque club appear to have taken advantage of their links to Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso to land a highly-rated youngster.

They had tried to sign Nayef Aguerd but failed, forcing them to look elsewhere for reinforcement at the back.

Sarr will get an opportunity to play in La Liga and the UEFA Europa League with the Copa del Rey holders, as well as in the Spanish Super Cup.