Chelsea are pressing ahead with plans to move on two fringe defenders before the transfer window shuts, with centre-back Mamadou Sarr wanted by Al-Hilal and Axel Disasi closing in on a loan exit to Crystal Palace.
Al-Hilal are pushing to sign the 20-year-old Sarr on a permanent deal, according to the London Evening Standard, though the Senegal international is one of several targets being chased by clubs across Europe before the window closes. Real Sociedad are among the sides considering a loan move for the defender, while Premier League and Europa League clubs have also registered interest.
Sarr made just six appearances for Chelsea in the second half of last season and was left out of the squad for the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City in May, despite being part of the group that won the Club World Cup with victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
He was recalled from a loan at Strasbourg on Deadline Day in January, having returned to France for the first half of the campaign, and his most eye-catching involvement came when he was given a surprise start against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16 under Liam Rosenior.
It had previously been reported that Chelsea wanted to arrange a Premier League loan for the player, but Al-Hilal are now understood to be pursuing an outright transfer instead.
Disasi's situation is more advanced. The 28-year-old has not played a first-team match for Chelsea since January last year and is closing in on a loan move to Crystal Palace, according to The Sun.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at West Ham, impressing enough during his time at the London Stadium to leave the Hammers keen on taking him to the Championship, despite being unable to prevent their relegation.
Crystal Palace are now favourites to win the race for his signature, having undergone significant changes at the back over the past year following Oliver Glasner's departure and the sales of Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix.
Both moves would continue Chelsea's push to trim a squad that remains heavily stocked with defensive options as Xabi Alonso looks to streamline his options before the deadline.
Disasi joined Chelsea from Monaco for around €45m in the summer of 2023 but has fallen well down the pecking order since, with loan spells at Aston Villa and West Ham already behind him, while Sarr arrived from Strasbourg last year on a contract running until 2033.