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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Sarr set to join Lens</li><li>Defender last played for Chelsea in 2022</li><li>January exit fell through</li></ul>

Chelsea FINALLY set to cut ties with forgotten man as Ligue 1 club close in on transfer

Ligue 1

Lens

Rennes

Premier League

Arsenal

Chelsea

According to <a href="https://www.footmercato.net/a7536341967855190899-chelsea-malang-sarr-va-sengager-avec-le-rc-lens" target="_blank">FootMercato's</a> <a href="https://x.com/Santi_J_FM/status/1815115771598545327" target="_blank">Santi Aouna</a>, a deal for Sarr is in place between Chelsea and Lens. A medical is set to go ahead by Tuesday night ahead of the centre-back signing a two-year contract until the summer of 2026.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Sarr joined Chelsea from hometown club Nice in the summer of 2020 as a highly-rated 21-year-old, but he quickly joined Porto on loan. Further loans were proposed for 2021-22, although Sarr wound up staying at Stamford Bridge and made 21 appearances. He hasn't played for the club since May 2022 though, and, after a move to Le Havre fell through at the start of 2024, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/malang-sarr-friends-worried-about-chelsea-s-forgotten-man-reasons-january-exit-falling-through-revealed/blt71bf0b4419a9b8d0" target="_blank">Sarr was described by a source to be at his lowest</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sarr is joining a Lens team looking to recpature their magical 2022-23 season. Having fallen away from their late-1990s heyday, Lens finished second in Ligue 1 to qualify for the Champions League. But they slipped back to seventh last season and will now compete in the Conference League play-off round.

DID YOU KNOW?

Every player sold by Chelsea means budget to reinvest into building a squad for new boss Enzo Maresca. The Italian is yet to take charge of a game, but that will change when the Blues face Wrexham at Levi's Stadium near San Francisco on July 25.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea FINALLY set to cut ties with forgotten man as Ligue 1 club close in on transfer | Goal.com

Chelsea defender Malang Sarr is on course to leave the Blues after the club agreed a deal with RC Lens.

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