In other Chelsea news, it can be REVEALED the club are in advanced talks over a deal for a colossal defender.
Exclusive: Chelsea defender undergoing medical at English side ahead of 2019/20 switch
EXCLUSIVE by Pete O’Rourke
Chelsea defender Jake Clarke-Salter is undergoing a medical at Birmingham City ahead of a loan move to St Andrew’s, Football Insider understands.
Clarke-Salter is close to joining Birmingham on loan as Chelsea feel he will benefit by going out on loan and getting valuable first-team football next season.
Sources at Birmingham City have told Football lnsider that the 21-year-old is being put through the necessary examinations before securing his switch to the midlands from Stamford Bridge in a move which could be completed in the next 24 hours.
A number of Championship clubs have expressed an interest in taking Clarke-Salter on loan, but Birmingham have moved quickly to agree a deal with Chelsea and the player.
Clarke-Salter is entering the final two years of his contract at Stamford Bridge and as revealed by Football Insider Chelsea want to tie down the centre-back to a new long-term deal to secure his future.
The England Under-21 captain is highly-regarded at Chelsea, but he is well down the pecking order in Frank Lampard’s first-team plans and so have given the green light over his loan exit.