Chelsea close in on eighth summer transfer ahead of Premier League opener

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Tom Dutton14 September 2020

Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Edouard Mendy after holding formal talks with Rennes over a deal to sign the goalkeeper.

Frank Lampard wants to sign a new goalkeeper after losing faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga and has identified 28-year-old Mendy as his No1 target.

Chelsea initially looked at signing Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak but later turned their attentions to more affordable options.

Mendy, a Senegal international who helped Rennes qualify for the Champions League last season, has reportedly already undergone a medical at Stamford Bridge.

He will likely follow Havertz through the door after the Blues completed the signing of the Germany international earlier this month, following weeks of negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen.

Havertz signed a five-year contract, becoming Lampard’s seventh signing of a busy summer in which Chelsea have spent north of £200million.

Havertz said: "Of course he [Lampard] had a big impact on my decision because I loved him as a player and watched him very often, and I think I can learn from him now he is a manager as well. I think he is a very humble person and a great guy and I can’t wait to play with him and learn from him."

They have already signed Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva, as well as signing Malang Sarr and bringing in teenager Xavier Mbuyamba from Barcelona.

Chelsea open their Premier League campaign against Brighton on Monday evening.