Two days ago, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported Chelsea are in talks with AS Monaco over a deal for Benoît Badiashile in the winter market. It was also explained the defender is the priority target for the Blues and operation would be around €35m.
Foot Mercato relay it and back up the claim made in England about the Premier League side’s interest in the centre-back.
It’s further explained Chelsea have ‘already made an offer’ of around €40m to the Ligue 1 side.
In order to acquire the France international’s signature, Graham Potter’s side must fight with Manchester United, who are on the lookout for him. However, they have not sent a bid to Monaco so far.
Badiashile was promoted to Monaco’s senior team in 2018 and has been a regular for them since the start of the 2020/21 season.
With Chelsea and the Red Devils as the defender’s two candidates, Monaco ‘seem open’ to parting ways with him in January. That’s because the defender’s deal expires in 2024 and his asking price would drop next summer, when he will have a year left on his contract.
Therefore, Foot Mercato state the ‘time is right’ for Monaco to sell Badiashile in January. The report doesn’t specify whether the Ligue 1 side have accepted or rejected Chelsea’s bid for the Frenchman.
