Chelsea Weigh Loan Options as Mamadou Sarr Draws Interest
Real Sociedad and Al-Hilal are reportedly interested in Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr as the club considers the 20-year-old’s immediate future.
According to SportsMole, citing Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, Real Sociedad are keen to take Sarr on a season-long loan. Al-Hilal are also said to have made a move for the centre-back, with talks reportedly ongoing.
Real Sociedad and Al-Hilal interest
Real Sociedad’s reported interest is centred on a loan for the full season. The La Liga club are one of the sides linked with a move for Sarr as Chelsea assess his options.
Al-Hilal have also been linked with the defender. Standard Sport reports that the Saudi Pro League club are pursuing a permanent move, while adding that Real Sociedad are considering a loan deal.
SportsMole reports that talks are ongoing in the race to sign Sarr. The situation involves interest from clubs in Spain and Saudi Arabia, while Chelsea’s preference has previously been reported to be a loan within English football.
Sarr’s Chelsea position
Sarr is one of the players whose immediate future needs to be determined, according to SportsMole. The report says he has not been viewed as first choice by Xabi Alonso.
The defender made six appearances for Chelsea during the second half of last season. In the Premier League, he has made one start and two substitute appearances, with his start coming in a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.
SportsMole says Sarr requires regular game time, while previous reports have indicated that Chelsea would prefer him to join another English club on loan. The report adds that there is a view that he would benefit from playing in the Premier League if a suitable club can be found.
Foreign-loan considerations
Chelsea’s foreign-loan allocation is also a factor in the discussion around a temporary move abroad. Filip Jorgensen and Jesse Derry have already taken up two of the club’s six allotted foreign loan slots, according to SportsMole.
Benoit Badiashile and Kendry Paez are expected to follow, which would leave BlueCo with two further FIFA foreign loan slots. The report says the expectation is that Strasbourg could use at least one of those places.
Those restrictions are cited as a reason why Chelsea are unlikely to send Sarr abroad on loan. A move within England would not use one of the foreign-loan slots.
What happens next
Sarr’s immediate future remains to be determined. Real Sociedad’s reported interest in a season-long loan and Al-Hilal’s reported move have placed the defender among the players Chelsea must assess before the end of the summer transfer window.
For now, SportsMole reports ongoing talks, while Chelsea’s previously reported preference is for a Premier League loan if a suitable club can be found.
