Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal with Monaco to sign centre-back Benoit Badiashile.
The Blues are said to have prioritised the 21-year-old as an alternative to Croatia prodigy Josko Gvardiol, as they look to bring in a left-sided central defender.
According to The Athletic, Badiashile is set to move to Stamford Bridge for a fee in the region of €37-38million (around £33m).
Chelsea lost two centre-halves back in the summer, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both departing – although they did bring in Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana.
However, Badiashile would add a new dimension to the Blues' defensive department and give Graham Potter an exciting new option in either back three or four.
Badiashile penned his first professional contract with Monaco just before his 17th birthday and has made over 100 appearances for the Ligue 1 club.
He made his senior international debut last September, featuring in Nations League games against Austria and Denmark – although he didn't make the cut for France's 2022 World Cup squad.
Badiashile could be one of many January arrivals in West London, with the Guardian reporting that Chelsea are eyeing a busy winter transfer window.
The Blues have already agreed terms for 20-year-old Molde and Ivory Coast striker David Datro Fofana, while 18-year-old Brazilian midfielder is expected to complete a £10m switch from Vasco da Gama, per football.london.
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Chelsea are said to be on the lookout for replacements for injured right-back Reece James: Celtic's Croatia international Josip Juranovic, and Inter Milan and the Netherlands' Denzel Dumfries have both been touted as potential options.
The Blues are also said to be leading the race to sign Benfica hotshot Enzo Fernandez, who was named young player of the tournament as Argentina won the World Cup.
