Chelsea summer signing set for Porto loan to help replace Man Utd target

Summer signing Malang Sarr is on the verge of leaving Chelsea on loan for Porto, according to widespread reports.

Chelsea snapped up Sarr as a free agent after his contract expired at Nice over the summer. The Blues made no secret of their plans to loan him out immediately after confirming his arrival.

When Chelsea originally signed Sarr, director Marina Granovskaia said: “The opportunity to sign Malang was one we could not miss.

“He is a tremendous prospect and we will be monitoring him closely during his loan period, hoping he will soon be back at Chelsea. We are very happy to welcome him to the club today.”

However, it has taken some time for an option to materialise for the 21-year-old. But now, one suitor has stepped forward on deadline day.

According to various sources, including Gianluca Di Marzio and the Daily Mail, Sarr will join Porto on a season-long loan.

Sarr, who mainly plays as a centre-back but can operate as a left-back, will help the Portuguese side fill the void left by Manchester United-bound Alex Telles.

Telles is ready to join Man Utd after they agreed a deal with Porto just before deadline day.

Porto also chasing Felipe Anderson

Sarr is not the only Premier League player on Porto’s radar, with the Portuguese club also pursuing West Ham’s Felipe Anderson.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Porto are in “advanced talks” for the winger, who has fallen down the pecking order at the London Stadium.

Anderson joined West Ham in 2018, but only made 25 Premier League appearances last season.

Porto are now pushing hard to take him away from London.