'I'm living again' - €26m star drops major Chelsea transfer hint

Mamadou Sarr has admitted that he is “living again” after leaving Chelsea to join La Liga side Real Sociedad on a season-long loan deal this summer.

The Senegal international spent the first half of last season on loan at Strasbourg, but he was recalled by Chelsea during the January transfer window following the appointment of Liam Rosenior.

Sarr was expected to play a prominent role at Stamford Bridge during the final few months of the 2025-26 campaign, amid the club’s defensive struggles, however he only made six appearances following his return to west London and he was unceremoniously cast aside after a poor display versus Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The 21-year-old only played nine minutes across Chelsea’s final 10 Premier League games of last season and whilst he was heavily linked with a permanent exit over the summer, he eventually joined Real Sociedad on loan.

Sarr has made nine appearances since his arrival at Real Sociedad in August, and he has hinted that he has no intention of returning to Chelsea next year by taking aim at the club.

“It was really very difficult - a rollercoaster,” Sarr told L’Equipe (via GFFN). “I was coming back from the AFCON and I was on a cloud. I started to play, have some good matches, [but] the one against PSG and that error came quickly.

“[Then] no news. No sign of life. The first week was horrible regarding the criticism. And Rosenior, who brought me, was quickly ejected. No longer doing your job, staying on the bench and watching your teammates play was very hard to experience, especially without any explanation. And then, at the World Cup, I thought that I’d be playing, but, without rhythm, I didn’t.”

When asked about Real Sociedad, he added: “I am living again. I had to be patient and find the best way out [of Chelsea]. I was hungry, very hungry. I wanted just one thing: to play football […] I have rediscovered a bit of the Lyonnais atmosphere.

“A very good club on a sporting level and a family club, too, that trusts in young players. Real Sociedad is the perfect club for me.”

Chelsea bolstered their backline with the signing of Maxence Lacroix over the summer and rumours suggest they are keen to add another new central defender to their ranks next year, with Como star Jacobo Ramon believed to be among their top targets.

The club could look to re-integrate Sarr into their first-team squad instead, although it appears more likely that a permanent sale will be sanctioned, especially if they receive an offer that exceeds his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €25.6 million.

In addition to Sarr, Chelsea are also expected to sell Robert Sanchez, Mykhailo Mudryk, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Alejandro Garnacho once their respective loan spells end next summer.

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