According to Sky Sports’ transfer expert Kaveh Solhekol, Chelsea are in talks to sign Malang Sarr on a free transfer after the 21-year-old left Nice this summer.

Chelsea are currently looking to overhaul the squad this summer and bring in a number of defensive reinforcements to shore up a leaky backline.

However, the Blues would actually immediately loan the centre-back out, despite their serious defensive issues heading into next season.

Solhekol teeeted: “Chelsea in talks to sign France U21 centre back Malang Sarr.

“He’s a free agent after his Nice contract ran out this summer. If Chelsea sign him they will send him out on loan.”

The youngster helped Nice secure a fifth-placed finish in Ligue 1 last term.

He made 19 appearance for Nice last season and was even handed the captain’s armband during a 2-0 win over Toulouse in February, but a new deal with Nice was not agreed and the youngster became a free agent at the end of the campaign.