Next Chelsea transfer agreed after £12m announcement amid Ibrahima Konate comparison

Chelsea are reportedly about to send Mamadou Sarr on loan, just six weeks after signing him from Strasbourg. The Blues forked out £12 million for the 19-year-old defender earlier this summer following his impressive performances in the French top-flight.

Sarr, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in 2033, featured 27 times in Ligue 1 last season, conceding just 32 goals and keeping 10 clean sheets. Playing a key role in Liam Rosenior's side, he helped Strasbourg finish sixth place and qualify for the UEFA Conference League.

The France Under-20 international's breakthrough campaign didn't go unnoticed, attracting interest from Chelsea. The Blues agreed a deal with their partner club in January before, albeit briefly, adding him to Enzo Maresca's squad in the summer.

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Sarr was the west Londoners' third signing of the window, following the arrivals of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town for £30m and Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon for £18m. The teenager made his debut for Chelsea at the Club World Cup, coming off the bench in a 3-0 win overEsperance Tunis in the group stage.

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Strasbourg have agreed to take Sarr back on loan. The report claims that the Chelsea centre-half is viewed as a key part of Rosenior's project at the Stade de la Meinau as he eyes European glory.

If the French outfit can wrap up a deal, it will be a transfer between the two clubs under the BlueCo umbrella. Shortly after Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital joined forces to buy the Chelsea in May 2022, the parent company formed as the investment vehicle for the takeove secured a majority stake in Strasbourg.

The consortium acquired close to 100 per cent ownership of the French outfit for €75m (£65m). When BlueCo bought Strasbourg in June 2023, the club had just escaped relegation from the top flight by five points.

Now, Rosenior's side are giving the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique Lyonnais and Marseille are run for their money. Enzo Maresca will hope Sarr can fulfil his potential as the next Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate this season.

Speaking to reporters in the United States last month, the Chelsea youngster outlined his ambitions. Sarr said: "I want to be like Virgil van Dijk. I love Van Dijk. But some people tell me I play like Ibrahima Konate.

"It's very similar. He's a leader. For a defender, it's very important to be a leader. Off and on the pitch, I talk a lot. It's an important job. I think I anticipate well. With the ball, I can pick a good pass. When I was a kid, I had a dream. It was to be the best centre-back in the world."

Chelsea coughed up about £12m for Sarr at the start of the year, and he's already proven to be a shrewd investment. According to Transfermarkt, the teenager is now worth £17.3m (€20m).

Having quadrupled in value since October 2024, at the same rate, Sarr could have a market value of £69.2m (€80m) by the end of this season. Chelsea appear to have pulled off a brilliant piece of business.