Mamadou Sarr: Chelsea star set for summer exit as transfer race emerges | OneFootball

Defender could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge after short spell

Standard Sport understands that a number of clubs are interested in signing Sarr permanently or on loan before the end of the transfer window.

La Liga side Real Sociedad are one of the clubs considering a loan move for the Blues defender.

It had been reported earlier in the window that Chelsea were keen to organise a Premier League loan for the Senegal international, but Al-Hilal are now pursuing a permanent move.

Sarr moved to west London last summer in a £12million deal from BlueCo-owned Strasbourg, and he was part of the squad that lifted the Club World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

The 20-year-old returned to France on loan at the start of last season, but was then recalled by Chelsea on Deadline Day in the January transfer window.

Sarr made just six appearances for the Premier League side in the second half of last season, and was left out of the squad for the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City in May.

His most notable appearance came when Liam Rosenior handed him a surprise start as Paris Saint-Germain visited Stamford Bridge in the Champions League round of 16.

The Senegalese struggled to keep pace with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, though, and was hooked at half-time.

Sarr was assessed by new manager Xabi Alonso during pre-season, and it was decided that a loan was best for the young defender’s development.

Elsewhere, fellow Chelsea centre-back Benoit Badiashile is closing in on a loan to Serie A side Napoli, who have an option to make the move permanent next summer.

The Blues are set to receive a loan fee worth €3m (£2.5m), while Napoli’s buy option is thought to be worth €27m (£23m).