European Club Targets Late Move for Chelsea’s Forgotten £20 Million Man, Malang Sarr
European Club Targets Late Move for Chelsea’s Forgotten £20 Million Man, Malang Sarr
Chelsea defender Malang Sarr, who has struggled to break into the first team since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, is reportedly the subject of late transfer interest from a European club. The 25-year-old Frenchman, who signed for Chelsea on a free transfer in 2020, has seen his playing time limited and has largely been out of favor under the club’s recent managers, including current boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Malang Sarr, valued at £20 million by Chelsea, has been searching for regular first-team football, having failed to cement his place at the club. After loan spells at Porto and Monaco in the last two seasons, Sarr now faces uncertainty about his future at Stamford Bridge. Reports suggest that a number of European clubs, particularly from Ligue 1 and Serie A, are monitoring his situation closely and could make a late move to secure his services before the transfer window closes.
Malang Sarr arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2020 from OGC Nice with a reputation as a promising young defender. Chelsea initially signed him as a free agent, with the plan to develop him for the future. After spending his first season on loan at Porto, where he gained valuable Champions League experience, Sarr returned to Stamford Bridge in 2021 with hopes of earning a place in the first team under then-manager Thomas Tuchel.
However, despite flashes of his potential, Sarr struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League and found himself on the fringes of the squad. His versatility, being able to play both as a center-back and left-back, was seen as an asset, but he was unable to dislodge the established defenders in Chelsea’s backline, including Thiago Silva, César Azpilicueta, and Antonio Rüdiger at the time.
After making only a handful of appearances in the 2021/2022 season, Chelsea loaned Sarr to AS Monaco for the 2022/2023 campaign. While at Monaco, Sarr featured more regularly, making 33 appearances in all competitions, but the Ligue 1 side opted not to exercise their option to buy at the end of the loan spell. As a result, Sarr returned to Chelsea in the summer of 2023, where his opportunities have remained limited.
With Chelsea undergoing significant changes under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, Malang Sarr has once again found himself on the periphery of the squad. Chelsea’s defensive reinforcements in recent transfer windows, including the signings of Benoît Badiashile, Axel Disasi, and Marc Cucurella, have pushed Sarr further down the pecking order.
The Frenchman has yet to make an appearance for Chelsea this season, and Pochettino has reportedly informed the player that he is not part of the club’s immediate plans. As a result, Sarr’s representatives have been actively exploring potential moves for the defender, with several clubs in France and Italy expressing interest.
According to sources close to the situation, Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg and Serie A club Torino are among the teams considering a late move for Sarr before the European transfer window slams shut. Both clubs are keen to bolster their defensive options, and Sarr’s experience in top European leagues makes him an attractive prospect.
RC Strasbourg, currently managed by former Chelsea midfielder Patrick Vieira, are in the market for a left-sided central defender, and Sarr fits the profile of the player they are looking for. Vieira, who has been rebuilding Strasbourg’s squad after his appointment in the summer of 2024, is believed to be an admirer of Sarr’s physicality and versatility.
Meanwhile, Torino are also said to be monitoring the situation closely. The Italian side are looking to strengthen their backline and view Sarr as a player who could thrive in Serie A. Torino’s defensive coach Ivan Jurić has reportedly given his approval for the club to pursue a deal for the French defender.
Chelsea are open to allowing Malang Sarr to leave the club, either on a permanent deal or another loan with an option to buy. The Blues are aware that offloading players who are surplus to requirements is necessary, particularly given the squad depth in defense. While Sarr is not seen as part of Pochettino’s plans moving forward, Chelsea are keen to recoup a fee close to their £20 million valuation.
A Chelsea club spokesperson, speaking about Sarr’s situation, said:
“Malang is a talented player who has shown his quality during his time on loan. However, with the current squad, opportunities have been limited for him. We understand his desire for regular first-team football and are open to discussions with interested clubs.”
Chelsea’s focus in the ongoing transfer window has been on trimming the squad and making space for younger talents such as Levi Colwill, who has impressed Pochettino. While Sarr’s departure is not yet finalized, it is clear that Chelsea would be willing to listen to offers for the defender.
Malang Sarr is eager to reignite his career and play regular football, whether that is in Ligue 1 or Serie A. The 25-year-old is said to be open to a move back to France, where he enjoyed a successful spell with Nice before joining Chelsea, but he is equally intrigued by the prospect of a move to Italy’s Serie A, a league known for its defensive discipline.
Sources close to Sarr have indicated that the player wants to join a club where he can play consistently and develop under a manager who believes in his potential. Both RC Strasbourg and Torino provide enticing opportunities for the Frenchman to regain form and confidence, with both clubs offering competitive environments in top European leagues.
