As reported by British media, Chelsea has agreed to sign France defender Axel Disasi from Ligue 1 club Monaco. The 25-year-old will be another option to fill in for injured countryman Wesley Fofana at Stamford Bridge after agreeing to a contract reportedly for 45 million pounds ($49.58 million).
Disasi is expected to compete for the position of center defender against players such as Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill, while another Frenchman, Benoit Badiashile, is getting ready to make his return from a hamstring injury early in the season.
After undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery in July, Fofana will likely miss quite a bit of the season.
Disasi, who has four appearances and was first called up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, made his France debut in a 1-0 defeat against Tunisia in the group stage.
Chelsea are hoping to turn things around under new manager Mauricio Pochettino after finishing 12th in the Premier League last season, their lowest place since 1994.