Chelsea have completed the signing of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, taking their summer spending to around £250million.
The 28-year-old shot stopper becomes Chelsea's seventh signing following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz.
Mendy, who arrives from Rennes in a £22m deal on a five-year contract, is expected to immediately come in and challenge for the No1 jersey with Frank Lampard losing faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea's latest signing said following the deal: "I am so excited to be joining Chelsea.
"It’s a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work with Frank Lampard and all of his coaching staff. I look forward to meeting my team-mates and can’t wait to get started."
Mendy's arrival puts Kepa's future in doubt. A world-record £71m signing from Athletic Club in August 2018, the Spaniard was dropped by Lampard for the final day of the 2020-21 Premier League season - a crucial Champions League qualification shootout against Wolves - before also missing the FA Cup final against Arsenal.
Kepa returned in goal for Chelsea's opening game of the season against Brighton, seemingly at fault for one of the hosts goals.
After the match Lampard absolved his goalkeeper of blame and instead any new arrival at Stamford Bridge would be competition for the No1 spot, and not a replacement.
“I am very happy with Kepa,” said Lampard after the match. “With the shot I’m not sure if he could’ve done any better. But I saw a bit more confidence in how he was playing. Kepa is here, he’s our keeper and I’m happy with him.
“If we are bringing in competition, it will be competition. That’s the nature of Chelsea and it goes throughout the squad.”