Chelsea have signed four players from Ligue 1 clubs over the past two seasons and could be about to make it five this summer.
Benoit Badiashile became the first 18 months ago as the central defender arrived from Monaco at the start of the January transfer window. Before the end of the month, the club also moved for Malo Gusto, who stayed with Lyon until the end of that season.
Then, within a matter of days last August, another two players arrived from the French top flight. Axel Disasi became the second centre-back to sign from Monaco in seven months.
Lesley Ugochukwu also signed from Rennes. And while the midfielder scarcely played last season, the deal could become crucial.
That is because Chelsea are interested in another player from the Brittany-based club, Desire Doue, according to Le10 Sport. They are said to be open to offers and reportedly have a price in mind, as the teenager has made known that he is seeking a fresh challenge this summer.
Arsenal also seemingly have strong interest in the midfielder. But the belief is that Chelsea are now at the front of the queue and pushing hard to do a deal with Rennes and the player after several weeks of activity to position themselves as frontrunners.
Convincing the club should be aided by their past dealings with them. Their relationship with Rennes also goes back even further than last year.
While plenty has changed at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea still signed Edouard Mendy from the Ligue 1 side in 2020. That move came 16 years after Petr Cech moved from Brittany to west London.
Jean-Yves Anis also came through at Rennes before signing for Chelsea in 2002 and spent a brief spell at the club. Arsenal, comparatively, have no history of successfully dealing with the Breton club.
