'Mendy deserves Chelsea move' - Rennes captain resigned to star's exit

Damien Da Silva accepted teammate Edouard Mendy deserves the chance to join Chelsea despite hoping he’ll stay at Rennes.

Mendy has been linked with a move to Chelsea over the last few weeks, with the latest reports claiming a deal is imminent.

Frank Lampard is reportedly keen to wrap up a deal before the club’s Premier League opener away to Brighton on Monday to replace struggling goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Blues technical director Petr Cech, who played for Rennes himself before arriving in Stamford Bridge in 2004, allegedly recommended Mendy to him. He’s a big admirer and is keen for the move to happen.

Chelsea have, therefore, tabled two bids to Rennes in the region of £18m and £25m. They hope the latter bid will tempt Rennes into a sale.

And it appears the London side may have their way, with Da Silva implying that Mendy is on his way out of France.

The Rennes skipper told Telefoot: “We are a little selfish, we don’t want to lose Edouard Mendy but it’s part of football and the transfer market.

“He’s a great goalkeeper who deserves what happens to him.”

Mendy will become the seventh new arrival at Stamford Bridge this summer should his transfer go through after Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva, and Malang Sarr.