Chelsea will reportedly move to the brink of signing Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile on Monday.
For a number of days, the Blues have been heavily linked with the 21-year-old, who has been associated with a possible move to the Premier League for a number of transfer windows.
Badiashile missed out on earning a place in France's World Cup squad, an indication that he still has progress to make in order to be put on the same level as the current centre-backs in favour for Les Bleus'.
Nevertheless, it was claimed on Sunday that Chelsea were ready to meet Monaco's valuation for a player who has emerged as a key player in defence.
As a result, Badiashile was left out of the squad for Sunday's fixture with Brest, one which Monaco won 1-0 to move into fourth position in the Ligue 1 standings.
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There is now every expectation that Badiashile will complete a transfer to Stamford Bridge in due course in a deal allegedly worth £33.6m.
According to the Daily Mail, Badiashile will undergo a medical with Chelsea on Monday with the hope that he can soon be announced as a new player for the Premier League side.
Badiashile has allegedly agreed to pen a six-and-a-half-year contract with the West Londoners and will now look to compete with Chelsea's current incumbents for the position.
A total of 14 starts and two substitute outings have been made by Badiashile in France's top flight and the Europa League this campaign, while he also made two starts for France in the UEFA Nations League in September.
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Badiashile will depart Stade Louis II having featured on 136 occasions for Monaco, scoring six goals, and it remains to be seen whether he will be signed in time to come into contention for Chelsea's FA Cup tie at Manchester City at the weekend.
Although Graham Potter's side play the same opponents three days earlier, Badiashile would not be available due to the latest Premier League matchday beginning on Monday.
Chelsea have already conducted business in recent days with David Datro Fofana now officially a Blues player after his transfer from Molde was confirmed on New Year's Day.
Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez is also in line to move to the club, providing that Benfica agree to cash in on the Argentina international after his breakout World Cup campaign.
Vasco da Gama youngster Andrey Santos should also finalise a switch to Chelsea in the coming days, although the 18-year-old will not immediately challenge for a first-team role.
Darren Plant
