Mendy deal held up over last-minute demand for Chelsea defender
A deal for Edouard Mendy is reportedly being held up because Rennes want Chelsea to include Fikayo Tomori as part of the deal.
The player is on the verge of a move to London after discussions between the clubs began last week, with Chelsea handed a boost when Mendy was not named in the squad to face Nimes on Sunday.
Mendy has reportedly agreed a five year deal with Chelsea and is keen on a move to the Premier League.
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The deal is now dependent on Chelsea and Rennes agreeing a fee. The Blues originally wanted to pay around £18million, although the Ligue 1 club are looking for more.
Reports claimed over the weekend that a £25million deal has been agreed, although it’s not been officially confirmed just yet.
The apparent hold up, according to Telefoot (via the Daily Mail), is that Rennes have made a last-minute demand to include Tomori on loan.
Tomori has been heavily linked with a loan switch to Everton too, with the Toffees understood to be keen to take the 22-year-old to Goodison Park for the season.
It is understood that Rennes had initially asked Chelsea for Olivier Giroud in return but Frank Lampard doesn’t want the France international to leave.
When asked if Tomori would be heading out on loan last Thursday, Lampard said: “With Fikayo, no, I’m not aware of those conversations getting to any point where I’m going to be talking about that.
“Fikayo trained with us today and is in contention for the Brighton game, and that’s where we’re at.
“There’s nothing specific I want him to improve, all I want him to do is work hard, show the work-ethic he’s shown me at Derby and for major parts of last season.
“I hope every player knows at that point I’m fair in how I try to pick the team.
“With four centre-backs last year, two will be unhappy pretty much every week, it’s up to them to try and make a starting place their own, and those are just the rules at a club like Chelsea.”