Why Chelsea have made Mamadou Sarr transfer decision with deal imminent as medical booked | OneFootball

Senegal international has a bright future, but needs minutes to develop

Sarr is set to join Sociedad on a season-long loan from Chelsea that is not due to include any option or obligation to make the deal permanent.

Standard Sport understands the Senegal international is in Spain undergoing his medical on Thursday morning.

A move to Sociedad should provide Sarr with a level of game time Xabi Alonso could not promise him this season with Chelsea.

The young defender, recalled by Chelsea from his loan with sister club Strasbourg halfway through last season, turns 21 on Saturday.

Chelsea were criticised by some for recalling Sarr from that loan only to hand him three Premier League appearances in the second half of last term, but they believe Sarr has a bright future and are keen on him earning regular match minutes once again this season.

Other clubs were also keen on loaning Sarr but Sociedad won the race for him to join their ranks for the campaign.

Chelsea signed Sarr permanently from Strasbourg in June 2025, with the Senegalese committing to an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

An experienced France youth international, he changed his allegiance to Senegal before becoming a senior international.

He has played eight times for Senegal, including starting the Africa Cup of Nations final earlier in the year.

Medical booked: Mamadou Sarr

Getty

Chelsea continue to sell and loan players ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. Marc Guiu is available for sale and has been linked with Napoli, while Aston Villa are closing in on a deal to sign Nicolas Jackson for a total fee package that, including significant add-ons, could pocket Chelsea £65m.

Tosin Adarabioyo is also available for sale, while Dario Essugo and Mykhailo Mudryk are available on loan. Liam Delap is set to join Nottingham Forest for £45m plus £5m in add-ons.