MONACO have signed Chelsea defender Malang Sarr on a season-long loan transfer with a view to a £10million permanent deal at the end of the season.
The Frenchman turned down a move to the Blues’ neighbours Fulham in order to return to Ligue 1.
Malang Sarr featured for the Blues in pre-season
Sarr, 23, will have the opportunity to play Champions League football with the Monegasque club.
Upon completing his switch, Sarr said: “I am very happy to join AS Monaco and to be back in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, a league in which I started and which I know well.
“I would like to thank the Club for its confidence.
“I am now looking forward to blending in with my new surroundings and getting to know my new team-mates, with the desire to achieve a lot together.”
Sporting director Paul Mitchell added: “It is a great joy for us to welcome Malang to the Club.
“His technical profile and versatility will bring new solutions to our defensive unit.
“At 23 years of age, Malang knows the demands of the top level, as evidenced by his stints with major European clubs such as Chelsea FC and FC Porto.
“In our desire to give to our squad more experience of the biggest games, he has the profile we were looking for and he will be a great help to us to face the demanding schedule that we have. We welcome him!”
Sarr joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Nice in 2020, before spending a season on loan at Porto.
After 18 appearances for the Portuguese side he surprisingly found himself part of Thomas Tuchel’s first team squad last season.
As Chelsea juggled multiple competitions Sarr made 21 appearances during the 2021-22 campaign.
He helped the Blues win the Club World Cup earlier this year, while also reaching the League Cup and FA Cup finals.
Sarr is Monaco’s fourth summer signing, following Takumi Minamino, Breel Embolo and Thomas Didillon.
He is the latest centre-back to leave Chelsea this summer, following Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
The Blues have already moved to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, while they are also chasing Leicester star Wesley Fofana – although the Foxes are demanding a fee in excess of £80m.
