Report: PL sides are battling to sign 22-year-old Chelsea player, but he's refusing to leave the Bridge
West Ham United are now reportedly interested in Chelsea youngster Malang Sarr.
According to Foot Mercato, the Hammers and Watford are two Premier League clubs eyeing up the Frenchman.
Foot Mercato also claim that Torino and Strasbourg will be tracking Sarr’s movements across the January window.
Watford and West Ham’s needs
The 22-year-old is very much on the fringes of Chelsea’s first-team, having only made five appearances all season.
His only start in the English top-flight since joining the Blues back in 2020 was against Brentford, way back in October.
He is very much a back-up to Thomas Tuchel’s senior centre-backs, who are rarely rested, such is their importance to the side.
West Ham’s intrigue in the left-footed defender stems from the fact they are without several key members in their own rear-guard.
Former Blue Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Aaron Creswell are currently side-lined, meaning David Moyes has few options in this area of the field.
Watford meanwhile need some extra bodies to halt their tumble down the table.
They are yet to keep a clean sheet under Claudio Ranieri, a return that seriously spells relegation.
Will Chelsea cut ties with Sarr?
Although a move away from Stamford Bridge would make sense for Sarr, Chelsea might be reluctant to let him go.
For one, Tuchel continues to battle against injuries to his squad, meaning every available body is needed.
Plus, if one of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen or Cesar Azpilicueta depart on this window, a hole in the defence will need filling anyway.
Also, Foot Mercato say Sarr has no intention of leaving his South West London settlement any time soon.
This may change of course depending on Chelsea’s transfer activity, but for now, he is comfortable in blue.
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