Chelsea Turn Up Heat on Tati Swoop as Deadline Looms; Disasi Medical Imminent

Chelsea are ramping up their pursuit of Nantes centre-back Tylel Tati on what could be a frantic final day of the window, with a £26m package on the table as they look to bolster their defensive ranks.

The west London club's hopes of landing Jeremy Jacquet took a decisive blow when Liverpool swooped to agree a deal worth £60m including add-ons for the Rennes defender. Chelsea had made the Ligue Un centre-back a priority throughout January but baulked at the asking price, while Rennes were equally keen to keep hold of their asset until the summer window.

With that avenue now closed, Chelsea have shifted focus to Tati, and according to L'Equipe, they are 'still pushing' hard and have 'intensified their efforts' to get a deal across the line before tonight's deadline. The blueprint appears familiar: sign the defender now, send him to Strasbourg on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

But it's far from straightforward. Tati, reportedly thoughtful by nature, is not rushing into any decision for what would be his first major transfer move—he wants to weigh up all the factors involved. Meanwhile, Nantes are holding firm and have not exactly rolled out the welcome mat. Chelsea will need to be both persuasive and quick.

The club are also bringing Mamadou Sarr back from his loan spell at Strasbourg to bolster their options in that department.

On the outgoings front, Axel Disasi is set for a medical to complete a loan move to West Ham United, the struggling side battling relegation. Winger Tyrique George is also heading for the exit, with a loan-to-buy arrangement to Everton on the cards.