Premier League rivals keeping close tabs on promising 22-year-old Chelsea star

Transfer News: West Ham United interested in signing Chelsea defender Malang Sarr

According to French outlet Foot Mercato (h/t Mirror), Premier League side, West Ham United have shown a keen interest in signing Chelsea defender Malang Sarr.

The 22-year-old has rarely been deployed in the Premier League by manager Thomas Tuchel, having only played in one league game this season.

Despite this lack of playing experience in the league, West Ham United are said to be interested in acquiring the services of Sarr during the January transfer window. The Hammers have looked solid under David Moyes of late and could do with a couple of key additions to keep their upward progress going.

The Frenchman has also drawn interest from outside London, with Watford, Torino and Strasbourg interested in signing him to shore up their defences.

In the league, Tuchel has only used Sarr as cover for senior players like Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Andreas Christensen, only appearing for the Blues in their 1-0 win against Brentford in October. The German has instead preferred to play the Chelsea defender in their Carabao Cup and Champions League fixtures.

Sarr most recently turned out in Chelsea colours in the first leg of the club’s semi-final clash against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup, playing the full ninety minutes and registering a clean sheet in the Blues’ 2-0 win. While he certainly has shown promise, Sarr is still some way away from cementing his spot in the Chelsea first XI.

Already having lost Kurt Zouma to West Ham United last summer, we could now see Sarr join Zouma during the January transfer window. Zouma has been a hit for the Hammers so far, and they will be hoping for the same with Sarr, if they do manage to lure him to the London Stadium.

The young centre back lacks Premier League experience, so it is curious to see West Ham go after Sarr, given that the London club is trying to climb up the table and claim a place in Europe this season.

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The Frenchman has been an able deputy for us, turning out either in a three-man defence or a back four. It is impressive to see a young defender shows such tactical flexibility and awareness while playing for a top-flight club like Chelsea.

There are no doubts about Sarr’s defensive abilities, having put in excellent displays at the heart of the Chelsea defence whenever called upon. His Premier League debut against Brentford was also encouraging, so it will be a shame if the Frenchman does leave us in January.