Chelsea have reached an agreement with Rennes for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy with the 28-year-old set to sign a long-term deal in the next few days.
The Senegal international, who had already agreed personal terms after asking to leave the Ligue 1 side upon learning of Chelsea’s interest, will become Frank Lampard’s eighth signing of the summer.
Chelsea had an initial bid of about £18million rejected with Rennes asking for closer to £30million.
But a compromise has been found and Mendy will travel to London over the weekend for a medical.
His arrival is bad news for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who lost the confidence of Lampard and his team-mates late last season.
The world’s most expensive goalkeeper could still be loaned out this season, potentially to a La Liga side, but there are few sides capable of paying close to the £72million he cost just over two years ago.
Kepa was dropped twice last season for Willy Caballero, however the later is now expected to slip down to the number three goalkeeper.
The Blues are not expected to finish their transfer business with the signing of Mendy.
Once the deal is done, Chelsea are going to change their focus to Declan Rice.
Lampard is an admirer of the West Ham star, who can fix a centre-back problem or be cover in the defensive midfield position.
However, the Hammers could price Chelsea out of a deal and negotiations might be tough, with the east London club wanting around the £80million mark.
Mendy, however, will be a Chelsea player and will be joining up with the squad next week once his medical and COVID-19 protocols are followed.
