Chelsea agree £38m deal for Monaco defender Axel Disasi

Chelsea are close to securing the signing of Monaco defender Axel Disasi after agreeing a deal in principle worth €45million (£38m).

The centre-back has won four caps for France and was part of the 2022 World Cup squad, playing in the final as the French lost to Argentina.

The 25-year-old mad his professional debut for Paris FC, moved on to Reims and has been at Monaco since 2020, being a regular in the team for the last three seasons, scoring 10 goals in 129 games across all competitions.

The Athletic reports that Chelsea now look like his next port of call after the Blues agreed a £38m fee for the right-sided central defender.

The Blues signed another centre-back from Monaco just this year when they bought Benoit Badiashile for a fee of around £32.7m.

Another France international, Badisahile made 11 Premier League appearances after arriving in the January transfer window and now looks set to be reunited with his former teammate, who he played alongside for two-and-a-half years.

Chelsea have been forced into the transfer market for a centre-back after another injury to Wesley Fofana, who is expected to be out for a meaningful period of time with a knee problem.

The 22-year-old arrived from Leicester last summer for an enormous £70m but has struggled with injuries, as he did during his spell with the Foxes.

The Frenchman made 20 appearances in his first season at Stamford Bridge, but only 15 in the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino continues his pre-season schedule with Chelsea on Sunday as the Blues take on Fulham in Maryland.